SIBU: The Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication is studying the proposal to turn the State Water Authority into a corporate body.
This was revealed by its minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi during Sibu Water Board’s (SWB) dinner here on Saturday night.
“Currently, the State Water Authority is in the form of an officer appointed from the State Public Service, namely, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunications.
“With the establishment of the authority as a ‘corporate body’, there will be a suitable and dedicated organisation to help executives of regulatory functions more effectively and efficiently,” he said.
Julaihi said the ministry was studying the possibility of forming a water supply entity by integrating four existing water supply authorities, namely, Sibu Water Board, Kuching Water Board, LAKU Management Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department.
“This is because it is important to have an efficient and effective water supply system to serve our people,” he added.
Julaihi also revealed that his ministry together with SWB, KWB, LAKU Management and JBLAB had formulated a strategy and project plan to achieve the ministry’s vision of achieving 100 per cent water supply coverage in Sarawak by 2025,
“This is to ensure that no one will be left behind from attaining a clean water supply.
“The board is urged to work with the ministry to realise the vision of the ministry and also the vision of the board so that we provide the best service to the people.
“As a service provider and with easily accessible social media, our effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery are always under the scrutiny of the public,” he said.
Therefore, he called on members of the board to give unwavering support and commitment to overcome all the limitations and constraints that they faced and to provide the best service to the people.
“Under the 12th Malaysia Plan, my ministry has submitted a proposal for the implementation of a water grid that will link the water supply system from south to north to ensure a more reliable and resilient water supply system for Sarawak,” he said.
Julaihi revealed that so far, a total of RM8.48 billion had been allocated to carry out a total of 581 projects including Projek Rakyat (people’s projects).
“For rural areas that do not have road access or are located too far away to be connected to the water distribution system, the ministry has introduced Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (SAWAS), to provide clean and safe water to use.
“The SAWAS system is an independent self-contained system, which when completed, will be handed over to the local community to operate and maintain,” he said.
