KUCHING: The Rural Water Supply Department (Jabatan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar – JBALB) clarified that villages in Bukit Limau, Long Tuyut and Menok in Tinjar, Miri Division are not connected to the water mains.
The department said this in a media statement yesterday in response to a local newspaper report on April 19 entitled “Authorities asked to install water taps at Tinjar Treatment Plant for villagers”.
According to the statement, the government therefore is making efforts to rectify the situation, and as it stands currently the Tinjar Phase 2 project was incorporated into the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP) under the Ministry of Rural Development (KPLB) to address water supply problems in those areas.
During a working visit to Tinjar last month Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg approved RM70 million for Phase 2 to supply clean water from Lapok to Sungai Seruas.
“The project which is expected to commence this coming June will involve the laying of pipes to Bukit Limau, Long Tuyut and Menok areas,” the statement pointed out.
“In addition, the department is currently implementing the Northern Region 2 (NR2) Package project laying new pipes in Lapok and Tinjar, which began last month and expected to be finished in early 2020.”
As an immediate initiative, the department in Miri will send tanker trucks to deliver clean water to the villages whose residents may also apply for mineral water to be distributed to them by the Welfare Department.
For any water supply issues, call JBALB Miri at 085-442204.
