KUCHING, Oct 20: The Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services Malaysia (Cuepacs) welcomes the Sarawak government’s proposal to merge the State’s four major water supply authorities into a single entity called the Sarawak Water Board.
According to a press release issued by its president, Datuk Adnan Mat, the Sarawak government’s proposal led by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, allows for better water supply services, which is one of the fundamental needs of the population, while also providing for the welfare of its employees.
Initially, there were rumours that Sarawak’s four water management agencies, namely the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB), and Laku Management Sdn Bhd (LAKU), would be privatised.
It raised concerns among employees about their future prospects if privatisation occurs, particularly in terms of welfare and job security.
Existing benefits will inevitably be reduced during the privatisation process, and there is also a risk of staff reduction.
Full privatisation is also feared to raise water tariffs in the future because it will be completely profitable.
Therefore, the Sarawak government’s proposal to study the establishment of the Sarawak Water Board is timely, Cuepacs said.
Cuepacs added that it was confident that the Sarawak Government will be able to make the water board more competitive in providing services to the people of the State.
At the same time, the State government will continue to prioritise employee welfare. — DayakDaily
