KUCHING: The Utilities Ministry is currently proposing amendments to the Water Supply Ordinance 1994 and the Water Supply Regulations 1995.
The ministry’s acting permanent secretary Martin Anyi explained that the amendments were important for strengthening and improving existing provisions.
“These amendments are adapted to the water industry’s current needs, particularly in relations to water resources and water supply operational issues in Sarawak,” he said.
Martin spoke during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in conjunction with the Valuation Centre Certification and Training for Pipe Installation Licensing and Pipe Spray Licensing Courses. The event was witnessed by Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom at the ministry’s complex here today.
On the improvement of service delivery in the water supply industry in Sarawak, Martin said the ministry, together with Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), had developed an online system known as e-Utilities System.
“This e-Utilities System is a holistic enterprise web portal, which consists of modules to support the operations from various divisions in the ministry.
“The modules under this umbrella are e-Water, e-Gas, CCS (Credit Checking System), e-KISS (Sarawak e-KPI System for Water Supply Services), project monitoring and map viewer,” he explained.
Martin added that with the development of the system, all applications including pipe fitter and mains layer courses, payment for new licences and renewal of licences would be processed through the e-Water online system.
“We look forward to making these additional features in this e-Water system available very soon.”
Martin said the e-Utilities portal also provided centralized user management and maintenance in addition to the e-Water system which would eliminate the redundancy and inconsistency of distributing user managements across all of the systems.
On the MoU signing between the ministry and Sarawak Skills Malaysian Construction Academy (ABM), Martin said it was a historical moment.
“In order to produce more competent persons who are qualified as pipe fitters and mains layers, the ministry took the initiative to collaborate with the accredited learning institutions to conduct the courses and provide the required facilities as examination centres for candidates applying for certification as pipe fitters and mains layers,” he said.
Martin also revealed that one of the biggest issues the ministry had been facing with regard to main layer and pipe fitter courses was the shortage of facilitators and testers from Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB).
“To overcome this problem, the ministry will appoint facilitators and testers from other water supply authorities, namely, Kuching Water Board, Sibu Water Board and Laku.
“We believe that with all these efforts, we will solve the problem of shortage of manpower to conduct the pipe fitter and mains layer courses and examinations,” he added.
