By Marlynda Meraw
“An initial funding of RM4 billion is allocated for the implementation of the first phase of the (Water Supply Grid System) programme that shall be in place by 2025. The State is also implementing the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply Programme or SAWAS to serve isolated communities with standalone treated water supply systems, which otherwise would take years to have access to clean water. The implementation of SAWAS is one of the initiatives towards achieving 100 per cent water supply coverage by 2025 in Sarawak.” Abang Johari (October 18, 2022)
RECOGNISING that water is not just a necessity but a fundamental right, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has made it his mission to ensure that every Sarawakian has access to clean water in the march towards development. It should not be a luxury afforded only to urban centres; it must flow to every longhouse, village, and settlement, no matter how distant. Sarawak’s long-term ambition to ensure full access to a clean and reliable water supply, especially for rural communities, is encapsulated in two major undertakings: the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme and the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply System (SAWAS). Both initiatives form part of the State’s larger strategic commitment to sustainable utility development.
The Early Commitment to Water Accessibility (2018-2020)
On June 4, 2018, Abang Johari approved four pivotal projects worth RM34 million to enhance treated water supply in the Dalat district. These included the relocation of the Sg Kut Muara raw water intake and improvement works in Dalat, Oya, and Kut, in addition to SAWAS projects for Kampung Klid, Kampung Narub, and Ng Baoh. Following this, the Ministry of Public Utilities began close collaboration with the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to achieve 100 per cent treated water access for rural communities by 2025 through SAWAS.
Later in July 2018, the Sarawak government set aside RM2 billion to launch the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme, a major infrastructural blueprint involving 222 projects to be completed by the end of 2020. Under the Programme’s ‘Stressed Areas’ component, 11 projects in Matu District (RM110.8 million) and another 11 in Kanowit District (RM93.3 million) were prioritised. At that time, the Jemoreng Water Treatment Plant (WTP) operated at 8.7 million litres per day (MLD), with refurbishment and expansion works planned to increase capacity by 3 MLD. In Kanowit, the local WTP was operationg at full capacity (4.913 MLD), with plans to eventually channel supply from the Sibu Water Board (SWB) to support at least 45,000 residents.
As of October 31, 2018, five packages had been completed within 12 months, benefiting 2,860 people across 22 villages within Sebauh, Baram, Lawas, Song, Sri Aman, Limbang, and Daro. The momentum continued with RM2.8 billion earmarked under the Sarawak Budget 2019 for Phase 1 of the water grid programme, aimed at strengthening raw water sources, constructing new treatment plants, upgrading existing facilities, and establishing a reliable distribution network. In July 2019, the government initiated a formal study for the Statewide Water Supply Grid Master Plan. This comprehensive plan outlined short-term (3-5 years), medium-term (until 2040), and long-term (up to 2070) development strategies. The master plan aimed to integrate anchor systems in Kuching, Sibu, and Miri with rural supply networks under JBALB.
By early 2020, the study was completed, and implementation was targeted for 2021. The State reiterated its RM2.8 billion commitment to resolve water-stressed issues, especially pipeline work in coastal areas. That year, 47 per cent of households (excluding SAWAS coverage) had access to treated water. During this period, RM4 billion was also allocated under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) to expand water and electricity access, with 234 water projects valued at RM2.55 billion awarded—16 completed and 118 under construction.
Projek Rakyat and SAWAS (2021-2022)
By mid-2021, a total of RM4 billion was committed under Projek Rakyat to fund 321 water projects. The overall water supply coverage reached 83.4 per cent, with rural coverage at 66.5 per cent. The year also saw expanded SAWAS efforts. On November 29, 2021, three new projects worth RM62.4 million were announced to benefit Kampung Pugu, Kampung Sekambal Melayu, Kampung Selarat, and Kampung Matang Terap. By January 2022, the Ministry of Utility began exploring the establishment of a State Water Authority (SWA) to unify oversight under a single corporate entity. This body would potentially coordinate efforts across JBALB, Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB), and Laku Management Sdn Bhd (LAKU) for improved efficiency and sustainability.
Later in March, RM5 million was allocated to SAWAS works in Rumah Ado, Kakus, and a new WTP valued at RM190 million was approved for the Sangan area. In Lawas, upgrades to the Trusan Regional WTP (from 20 MLD to 40 MLD) and Gelugus WTP (5 MLD) were part of a long-term solution that included proposed new facilities: Lawas WTP (20 MLD) and Trusan WTP (50 MLD) which are expected to be completed by the end of 2022. On October 2, 2022, 1,300 Kenyah community residents benefited from SAWAS with its project worth RM3.5 million. At this point, clean water coverage had reached 83.7 per cent, with rural areas at 67.2 per cent and urban areas at 99 per cent.
Strategic Expansion and Long-Term Planning (2022-2023)
On November 14, 2022, the State announced 21 Projek Rakyat water supply costing RM450 million across Kota Samarahan, Sebuyau, and Simunjan, expected to benefit more than 85,000 residents. By the end of that month, 220 out of 298 short-term projects under the Water Supply Grid Master Plan had been implemented. Another RM19.2 billion was estimated to be needed for medium-term goals. Five packages of SAWAS Phase 1 valued at RM50 million had then benefitted 594 households, while Phase 2, involving 22 packages valued at RM135 million, was in progress—13 packages completed, with 1,548 households projected to benefit.
In September 2023, a new 60 MLD WTP was announced for Mukah to double the capacity of the Basong WTP. The new facility will serve as the central region’s main WTP under the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme. As of the third quarter of 2023, Sarawak’s overall water supply coverage stood at 84.2 per cent, with rural areas at 68.2 per cent.
A total of 304 projects under the Water Supply Grid Programme for Water-Stressed Areas were underway; 237 completed (78 per cent), 61 under construction (20 per cent), and six in planning. Completed projects spanned Bau, Simanggang, Sibu Jaya, Belaga-Mejawah, Sarikei, Kuala Serupai, Kuala Matu, Belawai, Tanjung Manis, Sarikei town, Pakan, and Limbang District, and two package projects under SAWAS.
Sustainable Water Access Statewide (2024-2025)
By the final quarter of 2024, Sarawak’s ambition to achieve full clean water coverage by 2030 was laid out with greater clarity. On October 28, 2024, it was disclosed that the Sarawak Government would require a total allocation of RM20 billion to fully implement the Sarawak Water Master Plan. At that point, clean water access in urban areas had surpassed 90 per cent, while rural coverage remained at 71 per cent. Recognising the importance of strengthening existing infrastructure, a statewide pipe replacement programme was announced, backed by an allocation of RM1.1 billion, scheduled to commence in 2025.
Structural reform also gained momentum. On January 27, 2025, the State Government, through Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunications Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, confirmed that Sarawak’s long-planned single water entity, approved by the Cabinet in 2024, would begin operations in the second quarter of 2025. This centralised body will consolidate the urban water management responsibilities currently held by the KWB, SWB, and LAKU. The transition, according to Julaihi, will be implemented without disruption to existing water supply services. Employee welfare within the absorbed agencies was also emphasised as a top priority.
JBALB, however, was confirmed to remain outside the consolidation in the near term. As stated during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting in November 2024, JBALB will continue operating independently, with a dedicated focus on expanding and maintaining rural water infrastructure. Nevertheless, integration into the single entity remains part of the longer-term vision. In February 2025, the Sarawak government advanced its rural water agenda with renewed urgency. It announced a combined RM4.6 billion commitment, sourced through alternative financing mechanisms and the 12MP, towards the implementation of two major strategies: the Sarawak Water Master Plan and the Drip Water System.
These frameworks cover 407 projects across the State. Of these, 289 (71 per cent) had been completed, while 79 (19.4 per cent) projects are still in the pre-contract stage. The remainder are progressing through various implementation phases. As of February 2025, Sarawak had achieved 85 per cent clean water supply coverage statewide, including in rural districts, marking steady gains in what remains one of the most critical infrastructure agendas under the current administration.
Ambitious but Successful
Abang Johari’s vision is clear: an equitable Sarawak where every citizen, regardless of location, enjoys the same fundamental right to water as those in the cities. Considering the vast size of Sarawak and its scattered population, Sarawak under Abang Johari has been successful in its ambitious project to transform its water infrastructure. From large-scale pipeline projects to alternative water supply systems tailored for remote areas, the government has succeeded in providing clean and safe water, as reflected by its achievement of 85 per cent clean and safe coverage, including the rural areas.
The content featured here is an excerpt from the book “Rise of Sarawak: Abang Johari’s Era of Transformation”, published by Sage Salute Sdn Bhd.
