Total of 220 projects under water supply, grid master plan done

A TOTAL of 220 projects under the Sarawak Water Supply and Water Grid Master Plan for the short-term have been completed, said Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi.

He said this was equivalent to 74 per cent of the total 298 projects financed using alternative funding of RM4 billion, which was allocated by the Sarawak government.

In his ministerial windingup speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday, he also said 69 projects were in various stages of implementation and that another nine were in the tender stage, with construction for these projects to commence next year.

“With the completion of these projects, I am confident that the water supply in rural areas will be improved,” he said.

He said the Sarawak Water Supply and Water Grid Master Plan provided a roadmap for the short term until 2025, midterm until 2040 and long term until 2070.

He told the august House that his ministry required an additional allocation of RM19.2 billion for the implementation of several key and critical mid-term water supply projects.

“These include the new water supply system in Landeh, Kuching; upgrading of Phase 3 Salt Water (Air Salim) Treatment Plant in Sibu; new water treatment plant in Beluru, Miri; new water treatment plant in Engkilili; Mukah Regional Water Supply System; Nyabau Raw Water Resource System project in Bintulu; new water treatment plant in Kanowit; new water treatment plant in Lawas; new water treatment plant in Kapit; upgrading of the Kaki Wong Water Treatment Plant in Saratok; and new water treatment plant in Song,” he said.

Julaihi also said as many as five Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (Sawas) Phase 1 packages with a cost of RM50 million had been completed and benefited 594 households.

“Phase 2 involves the implementation of 22 Sawas packages worth RM135 million and 13 of them have been completed,” he said, adding that this would benefit 1,548 households.