SIBU: The Sarawak government has a long-term plan to solve the water supply issues in the Melanggan area here.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch chairman, Cr Kevin Lau Kor Jie attributed the issue to the high water consumption here, adding Sibu has two water treatment plants, Salim which produces 150 million litres per day (MLD) and Bukit Lima 45 MLD, which operates at maximum capacity.
He said old water pipes also tended to have caused frequent water leakages.
“Our minister, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi (Minister of Utility and Telecommunications) and his ministry have taken several steps to resolve the problem in the area.
“The first step is to upgrade the water pipe in the Sg Maaw area at a cost of RM10.5 million which had been completed in July this year. The second step is to upgrade Salim water treatment plant from 150 MLD to 300 MLD at a cost of nearly RM300 million which is expected to be completed in 2026.
“Third step, our minister is also looking at the upgrading of the Salim water treatment plant which will take two years and he announced in September, the Intervention Programme through the acute system that will produce 4 MLDs to supply water to Sg Sadit and the surrounding areas, which is expected to be completed in March next year,” he said at the meet-the-people session at Rumah Munie Sawang, Bukit Besai near here today.
Lau, who was also the Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC)’s Environment and Public Health Standing Committee chairman, was representing Romeo Christopher Tegong, a political secretary to Sarawak Premier, at the event which was initiated by the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) Bukit Besai.
At the event, several government agencies including Land and Survey Department, Housing Development Corporation , Health Department and Agriculture Deparment gave talks to provide latest and accurate information to the local residents.
Among those present were Penghulu Wong Ung, Penghulu Dennis Ansam, Cr Rudan Genam, Tuai Rumah Munie Sawang and organising chairman, Jenoren Garasi.
With all the steps taken, he highlighted that the Sarawak government under the leadership of Sarawak Premier has a long -term plan to solve the water supply problem in the area and most of these costs are borne by the Sarawak government as it could no longer wait for federal funding.
“I know that this is not easy for everyone, but I ask for your patience and I will continue to focus my attention on any latest information from our minister and his ministry,” he said.
In this regard, Lau hoped that the attendants equipped with all the important information that have been shared including from other government agencies, would be disseminated to others.
