By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 19: More allocations are needed in the long run for Sarawak to fully implement its Water Supply Grid System that connects the supply from south to north by 2030, as well as its long-term plan up to ensure water sustainability until 2070.
As the Sarawak government has nearly exhausted its RM4 billion budget to implement the system, especially in water-stressed areas, Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Julaihi Narawi said there is a need for the Federal government to also share this responsibility.
“The RM4 billion came from the State Budget. But in the long run, we will need more allocations, especially to fully implement the Water Supply Grid System in Sarawak to ensure not only access to treated water supply for all but also the availability and protection of raw water sources for the future.
“The government has tabled the amount needed (to the Federal government). Being part of Malaysia, we also need contribution and support from the Federal government for the wellbeing of our people.
“Hopefully, it will be given consideration as water is an important source of life that must be fulfilled in the near future,” he raised in a press conference after receiving a courtesy call from a delegation from the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority, Cambodia who was one of the speakers at the Borneo International Water and Waterwaste Exhibition and Conference (BIWWEC) 2022 at a hotel here today.
Julaihi pointed out that the resilience and sustainability of both treated and raw water sources are vital for the use of Sarawak in the future.
Moreover, he added that it is one of the initiatives under the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 to ensure sufficient water supply in every corner of Sarawak.
Elaborating on the Sarawak Water Supply Grid, he said currently, it has been implemented in the southern part of Sarawak, mainly in Samarahan.
“However, plans are in the pipeline to expand the grid to cover the central and northern parts of Sarawak, but which will take time. But most importantly, we have started and the longterm plans are in place as the government is committed to ensure comprehensive connection of water supply in Sarawak through the grid.
“Our target is 2030 but our long term plan is until 2070. We have specific plans for 2040, 2050 until 2070 because it is important to have planning starting from now. We will continue to improve on the plans as we go along and execute them,” he said.
On the conference, Julaihi welcomed innovation and new technologies which he believed can be incorporated and adopted by Sarawak in the State government’s efforts to improve and ensure access to adequate water supplies for all as well as water sources protection for long-term sustainability.
“The State government fully supports and encourages the holding of such conferences as a knowledge exchange platform among the experts that will definitely contribute to strengthening our water management and implementation of a comprehensive water supply system in Sarawak,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang, Deputy Minister of Utility Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi and Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) director Ir Chang Kuet Shin were among those present. — DayakDaily
