MIRI: The third phase of Sarawak Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares) in Mulu constituency is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
A total of 244 households comprising 2,641 villagers will benefit for the 24-hour supply of electricity, said Assistant Minister for Rural Electricity Supply, Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
Speaking at the commissioning of solar electricity supply in Long Ukok yesterday morning, he said the state government via Sares has been planning to expand rural electrification coverage to Mulu constituency starting this year and on to 2021.
Also present at the commissioning were State Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, director of Electricity Supply (Ministry of Utilities Sarawak) Syed Fauzi Shahab, Sarawak Energy Berhad’s vice-president for Rural Electrification Dr Chen Shiun.
Abdul Rahman revealed that this year alone, a total 16 longhouses comprising 681 households would benefit from the Sares project.
“In the 2020 to 2021 period, we have planned to extend the project to include 31 longhouses (1,500 households) within Mulu,” he said, adding that it is part of the government’s mission and vision to ensure that every rural area has electricity regardless of its locality.
“The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is focusing on providing basic infrastructure,” he said.
“Since the change of the leadership at the federal level, several projects by the previous federal government have been slashed. We can no longer rely on them for funding,” he said.
“We bring in electricity and clean water to the rural areas, and today three villages in Tutoh Apoh, namely, Long Ukok, Batu Belah-Long Patan and Long Pahlo are no more depending on generator sets to light up their longhouses,” he said.
“For future development, we are looking into a plan to connect these areas to Marudi town and Miri with roads, and funds for phase one has been approved,” he said.
Gerawat, who also spoke, pointed out that Sares was a strategy to accelerate rural development by providing electricity and eventually to provide internet connection.
“The government is planning to set up telecommunication towers in rural areas such as Baram,” he said.
On the alleged encroachment into Mulu, Gerawat cautioned outsiders not to intervene in such a matter.
“We have our own method of solving the issues. Outsiders are not welcome,” he said.
