KUCHING: The proposed merger of four water resources management agencies in the state into one entity is still being studied and hopefully could materialise by this year.
Sarawak Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the proposal would then be brought before the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) for approval.
“At the moment, we have four agencies namely Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB), Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB) and Laku Management Sdn Bhd (Laku) handling and managing all our water resources.
“So, we are still waiting for the final details and study to be done by the consultants. Once everything is in order, then we will bring it to the DUN,” he said.
He said this to reporters during his Hari Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Grand Margherita Hotel on Saturday (May 14).
“We want to get the full report and present it to the Cabinet. So, it will not be tabled in this coming DUN.”
He explained that the merger of the water supply resources into one entity, was aimed at improving the efficiency of water management throughout the state.
“Water is a daily requirement by the public so it is important for us to manage it properly,” he said.
On another note, Julaihi who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president said that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will hold its pre-council meeting at 10am on Sunday (May 15) in conjunction with the upcoming DUN Sitting.
When asked about the opposition claiming that they have yet to receive the notice on the DUN Sitting, he said that all elected representatives should have received their notice on the DUN sitting already.
“I do not know about the opposition. What I know is that I have received mine and I have gone through all the details.
“So saying that the notice has not been given out, is not true,” he said.
He added that all members have submitted their questions to the ministries concerned and this means that the notice has reached everybody.
