By Shikin Louis
TANJUNG MANIS, Feb 17: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has proposed building new water pipelines on bridges as an alternative to the submarine pipes across seven rivers delivering treated water supply to Tanjung Manis residents.
He cautioned that the submarine pipes delivering water from Sibu to Tanjung Manis under the RM974.1 million Tanjung Manis Water Supply Project are at risk from ground movements, which could lead to pipe misalignment or disconnection.
“If this happens, the residents will not get the water supply.
“That is why I have instructed the relevant authorities earlier to construct a new piping system on the bridge so that should there be pipe leakages, we would detect the problem right away.
“If the bridges are not strong enough (to support the pipelines), we will enhance the bridges first,” he said when officiating the Tanjung Manis Water Supply opening ceremony held at Tanjung Manis Water Treatment Plant here today.
The Tanjung Manis Water Supply Project commenced construction on Nov 11, 2013, and was completed in late 2016. However, the project was delayed due to several technical problems, and the operation only started on Oct 2, 2023.
According to Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, the water supply system can supply raw water from Sibu to Tanjung Manis up to 50 million litres daily (MLD).
“A total of 30 MLD of raw water is intended to be treated at the Tanjung Manis Water Treatment Plant and then supplied to the people in the surrounding area while the remaining 20MLD of raw water is to meet the needs of the industrial area in Tanjung Manis.
“Currently, based on the current demand, the Tanjung Manis water supply system, on average, supplies 8 to 13 MLD of treated water to the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) for distribution to consumers.
“Among the areas that will benefit from the completion of this project is Pekan Tanjung Manis, Kampung Belawai, Kampung Jerijeh, Kampung Rajang, Kampung Serdeng, Kampung Sedau and Kampung Bekakong,” he said in his speech.
Also present were Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment-cum-Kuala Rajang assemblyman Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications Unit) and Semop assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Saidol; Tanjung Manis MP Yusuf Wahab; and Mukah Resident Kueh Lei Poh. — DayakDaily
