By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 1: Sarawak is appealing to Putrajaya to consider allowing the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to take over previously approved federal-funded water projects, following its recent recognition as a Federal Technical Department.
Utility and Telecommunications Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the State welcomes the federal government’s decision to officially recognise JBALB as a technical department on Aug 28, placing it on par with Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID).
The upgraded status empowers JBALB to act as an implementing agency for new federal physical development projects valued up to RM50 million, including the appointment of consultants, tender processes and contract awards.
“With this delegation of power, project implementation under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) can now be expedited, as pre-contract processes will be carried out directly by JBALB,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today.
However, Julaihi noted a limitation: the authority currently applies only to new projects approved after the recognition.
“Unfortunately, this is only relevant for the new projects approved later on. Whatever has been approved earlier on, will still be handled by KKDW itself.
“How I wish all the projects approved earlier on is also to be handled by JBALB especially those of RM50 million and below,” he added.
Speaking to reporters in a press conference after the sitting, Julaihi expressed hope that Putrajaya would consider extending the delegation of authority to cover existing projects as well.
“Hopefully they could consider this in the near future-lah (sic). Now that we are recognised as a technical department, we should be allowed to implement the existing projects too, not only the new ones,” he asserted. – DayakDaily
