Water supply coverage of the open section reaches 84.85 percent

MUKAH, 3 Oct: Coverage of treated water supply in the Muqah Division reached 84.85 per cent of population as of last August, with several infrastructure projects worth RM200.2 million being implemented to expand residents' access to the basic facilities.

Minister of Women, Child Development and Community Welfare, Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said that efforts to accelerate the implementation of water supply projects under Sarawak Water Supply Grid are essential to ensure more people, especially in rural areas, have access to treated water supplies.

"I would also like to announce that by August 2026, 84.85 per cent of the population in the Open Region have access to clean water supply coverage.

"However, there are still areas that need attention, especially projects under the Sarawak Water Supply Grid including Proposed Balingian-Kuala Sarupai Distribution System, Proposed Water Supply to Paloh and Proposed Water Supply to Pulau Bruit.

"The entire project involves an expense of RM200.2 million. We hope its implementation can be accelerated so that more people can enjoy access to sanitation water supply", he said while speaking at Sarawak's 2026 Expedition Programme.

Meanwhile, Fatimah thanked the Government of Sarawak for implementing the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (SAWAS) initiative which has helped residents in Klid, Narub in Nanga Baoh and Ulu Baoh, Dalat, as well as Nanga Semah and Penasu, Daro.

He said the effort to expand the basic facilities also includes providing electricity supply to residents who have not yet enjoyed the facility.

He said that among the projects in question is the Outdoor Electricity Supply Scheme (RES) at Nanga Baoh, Dalat, worth RM13.1 million which will benefit 1,166 residents in nine long houses.

"In addition, applications for installation of electricity supply under the Additional/Late Applicant Fund (ALAF) program are also expected to be considered, involving 1,106 households in all districts within the Open Division at an estimated cost of RM22.1 million", he said.