By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 26: Four months after the merger of Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB) and LAKU Management into Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd, the single water authority in Sarawak, basic water supply problems persist amid apparent organisational chaos.
Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong highlighted that despite promises of improved service, the entity remains without a confirmed chief executive officer (CEO), has a confusing website, and lacks proper management and operational readiness.
Participating in the debate on Sarawak Budget 2026, she said the merger, launched on Aug 1 under SFS Incorporated, had promised cleaner water, better service, and stronger management.
“Yet four months later, instead of improvement, we still see chaos, confusion, disorder and a complete lack of basic readiness. The announcement was polished, but what followed has been a mess,” she told the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today.
Yong criticised the Sarawak Water website for reflecting only LAKU Management’s history, leaving out Kuching Water Board and Sibu Water Board, while the staff count listed online of about 500, which falls far short of the 1,214 staff reported to have joined the new entity.
She questioned the whereabouts of the missing staff and highlighted that the management structure remains incomplete, with no CEO officially appointed.
“Only two people are effectively holding the fort of top management, and no full management meeting has taken place since the launch.
“How does the State expect stability, planning or accountability when the leadership structure itself is missing?” she further asked.
She also raised concerns about the lack of official documentation confirming the dissolution of the former boards, noting that Kuching residents still receive KWB application forms bearing Sarawak Water’s stamp, and the old boards’ websites remain online.
On the ground, Yong said water problems continue unabated, with residents facing muddy water, dirty water, frequent leaks, and service interruptions.
“In Kuching, there are only two functioning tankers — one small, one large in operation. The rest are out of service. How can Sarawak Water handle water emergencies for a growing city with just two tankers? When ART (Autonomous Rapid Transit) construction repeatedly damages water pipes in Tabuan Jaya or Jalan Canna, disruptions occur instantly — yet there is not even sufficient tanker support to supply affected residents,” she claimed.
Yong thus urged Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to intervene, stressing that the consolidation aimed to improve efficiency, integration and reliability, with a target of 100 per cent clean water coverage by 2030.
“But Sarawak Water today is nowhere close to achieving that vision,” she added. — DayakDaily
