BY NURFARAHIN OKI
KUCHING: Various agencies set up booths to spread awareness on the importance of water during the national level World Water Day 2024.
The celebration sought to renew determination and resolution and focus on the importance of water and sustainable development.
This year, the World Water Day 2024 celebration wascheld on Apr 27-28 at the Kuching Waterfront.
New Sarawak Tribune took the opportunity to talk to the public to get insights on the importance of water.
KAMSIAH SANI, 54, HOUSEWIFE
We need water in terms of cleanliness, agriculture, and of course to live and water is a lot more important compared to electricity. Back then we could get clean water from the river, now the river has been contaminated due to sewage being discarded into the river. Now we are fully dependent on the filtered water that is channelled to our houses. It is fortunate that I rarely face any water problems at my area.
YUNIKA KIRANA ABDUL KHALID, 38, LECTURER
Previously I did encounter water problems at my village where the pipes in that area were very old and they had to replace them with new ones. There were so many broken pipes and we did not have water for two to the times a week. Although we did experience that kind of problems, I think it is not as troublesome as for some living in the rural area where they still do not have any access to clean water resources. As for this Water Day celebration, it works as a campaign to spread awareness to the people and introduce them to the agencies that are responsible or involved in handling our water systems.
AZILA AHAD, 43, STAFF AT SRI SARJANA ACADEMIC CENTER
It is very hard when we don’t have a clean water resource, even the rainwater feels contaminated now. For me it is important to have water because it contributes a lot to our cleanliness, and it is uncomfortable for me if the water is dirty. I live at the Betong area, and I have faced countless water problems there especially during festivities. It was hard for me where I had to collect water and the water is not so clean. I hope everyone can be more responsible in preserving natural resources that we have such as water.
MORRIS JOHN SIREN, 68, VILLAGE CHIEF
Water is the only resource that is important because there was no purified water back in the old days, so we had to take water from the mountain or from the well because it is a need for us. Water is also important to crops and if drought occurs, even the crops in the housing area would not survive. So far, we rarely face any water problems in my area, but we still have that issue, and this is due to the population that keeps growing. So far in my area the water supply is still sufficient for all the people there.
NILI TANLU, 74, VILLAGE CHIEF
“n Samariang, the population is more than 1,000 and for now, the water pressure is getting low especially during peak hours. The pipes also keep leaking because I have been in the area (Samariang, Dayak Area) since 1984 and until now, they are still using the same old pipes. I really hope related agencies will do their best in fixing what has been recommended by our Premier and I hope all the residents in the area will be patient to wait for improvements.
MUHAMMAD MURAIMAN JUFRI ISKANDAR, 17, STUDENT
As someone who lives in a dorm, I realise how important it is to have water in our lives. We need to shower, to cook, to drink and do all of other things at the boarding school. It will be hard if there is no water at all.
