‘Near-full power supply coverage in Sarawak by 2021 achievable’
KUCHING: Extending the coverage of electricity supply to 97 per cent of Sarawak by 2021 is doable, especially with the recent approval of a RM2.37- billion allocation.
As it is now, about 90 per cent of the state is supplied with electricity, says Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, adding that only nine per cent – or 129,000 houses – 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 reporters after officiating at the ‘ Multaqa Pendaftar dan Penolong Pendaftar (Jurunikah) Perkahwinan, Perceraian dan Ruju’ programme at Sarawak Islamic Complex here yesterday.
Dr Abdul Rahman added that the remaining three per cent of areas in the interior would be handled by the Utilities Ministry, so that all citizens could enjoy electricity
The government is carrying out a few alternatives, including using solar power systems, 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-electricity or micro-hydro facilities to generate power. Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity
supply.
“The government is carrying out a few alternatives, including using solar power systems, 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- electricity or microhydro facilities to generate power,” he stated.
Thus, the government is preparing a special fund to help those who are left out or late in applying for electricity supply, especially those who are in new settlements, he added.
“My ministry, which administers this special fund, will continue to work hard in fulfilling the applications from those who still do not have electricity yet,” said Dr Abdul Rahman, adding that the fund this year is RM40 million, up from RM9 million last year.
When asked about the federal government’s withdrawal from the agreed loan contra of RM1 billion to repair dilapidated schools in Sarawak, Dr Abdul Rahman said that this should not have happened.
“Any matter 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.
According to Dr Abdul Rahman, Sarawak is hoping that the new government would reconsider its rejection of the loan contra formula, as the issue of dilapidated schools in Sarawak is serious.