Possible to extend power supply to 97 pct of S’wak by 2021 — Dr Abdul Rahman

KUCHING: Extending the coverage of electricity supply to 97 per cent of Sarawak by 2021 is doable, especially with the recent approval of a RM2.37billion allocation.

As it is now, about 90 per cent of the state is supplied with electricity, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said, adding only nine per cent or 129,000 homes in areas covered do not have 24-hour electricity supply.

“Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved an allocation of RM2.37 billion to cover the cost of supplying electricity to rural houses. With this allocation, we expect to extend coverage to 97 per cent come 2021,” he said when met by reports after officiating the ‘Multaqa Pendaftar dan Penolong Pendaftar (Jurunikah) Perkahwinan, Perceraian dan Ruju’ programme at the Sarawak Islamic Council here yesterday.

Dr Abdul Rahman added that the remaining three percent of areas in the interior would be handled by the Utilities Ministry so that all citizens could enjoy electricity supply.

“The government is carrying out a few alternatives, including using a solar power system to provide electricity to the communities in longhouses and in the interior. As for villages or longhouses near rivers, the ministry is utilising small hydro or micro hydro facilities to generate electricity,” he stated.

Thus, the government is preparing a special fund to help those who were left out or late in applying to enjoy electricity, especially those who are in new settlements.

“My ministry which administers this special fund will continue to work hard to fulfil the applications from those who still do not have electricity yet,” Dr Abdul Rahman said, adding that the fund this year is RM40 million, up from RM9 million last year.

Meanwhile, when asked on the federal government’s withdrawal from the agreed loan contra of RM1 billion to repair dilapidated schools in Sarawak, Dr Abdul Rahman said that it shouldn’t have happened.

“Any matters relating to education should not be politicised, because it involves the interest of this nation’s generation. The federal government should have given more attention to ensuring that our children get a complete education for the nation’s future,” the Pantai Damai assemblyman said.

He added that Sarawak is hoping that the new government will reconsider its move to reject the loan contra formula, as the issue of dilapidated schools in the state is serious.