KUCHING: Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg urges the Federal Government to provide additional funds to upgrade the entire water pipeline system in Sarawak.
He said, this year alone, the Sarawak Government has spent RM294 million to replace dilapidated pipes in Kuching up to Sri Aman as well as areas in northern Sarawak.
“I hope the Federal Government can help us (Sarawak). We have a lot of leaking water pipes. Our pipes are old… since the Brooke era (the reign of James Brooke).
“That’s why we need to replace the pipes. Sarawak allocated RM1.08 billion to change the pipes for the whole state. And this is Sarawak’s own fund.
“If you (the Federal Government) can, do give us funding for this,” he said when officiating at the national level World Water Day Celebration at Kuching Waterfront here Sunday.
He also highlighted the importance of using digital technology in water management by storing data in the pipe system.
“What we (Sarawak Government) do is we enter the data of our pipes. If there is a problem in a certain part of the pipes, we will be able to know where the issue is.
“This is one of the digitisation that is being implemented by the Sarawak Government. We need to change our pipes so that our water management will be more sustainable so that we will be able to save more money,” he said.
