KUCHING: The state government is contemplating to form a single entity for water resource through the merger of the current four water management agencies in Sarawak.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the merger of these four entities is expected to be implemented by the end of this year, adding it is aimed to enhance the efficiency of water resource management in the state.
“The four agencies involved are the Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB), Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) and LAKU Management Sdn Bhd (LAKU).
“If this merger can be implemented within the proposed timeframe, it will create a single water entity that manages the efficiency of water resource management throughout the state,” he said.
He added that with the implementation, Sarawak will have one main entity for electricity supply managed by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) and one for water supply.
He said this when met by reporters at his Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house held at the Waterfront Hotel yesterday.
Elaborating further, Abdul Rahman mentioned that this water entity would be established after meticulous discussions on the merger, because this decision involved human resources and other matters.
“Besides ensuring the smooth and systematic administration of water, it is also in line with the aspiration of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, to implement a digitalisation system for water supply in Sarawak, similar to what SEB is doing for electricity supply,” he said.
Meanwhile, when asked on the name of the new water supply entity, he said that the name of the entity is still under discussion and has not been decided yet.
“There are several proposed names for the entity, but it has not been decided yet,” he said.
Earlier, Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi were among the guest at the open house.
Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar and his wife Datuk Fatimah Mohd Iskandar, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki and his wife Datin Amar Baduyah Bujang were also among those present.
