KUCHING: The state on Saturday launched the Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) Main Information and Database System (eMINDS) to replace the traditional counter service system in its effort to be an electronic government.

The eMINDS system, developed by Sarawak Information System (Sains) is to simplify the gathering of information and provide access to the public to obtain and enquire services from the Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) under the Ministry of Public Utilities.

Among the services currently available is the application and renewal of certificates of approval and import permit for electrical appliances, electrical competencies, electrical contractors and switchboard manufacturers.

Launching the EIU eMINDS system on Saturday night at a leading hotel in Santubong here was Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, who said the launch reflected his ministry’s strive towards constant upgrading of their services.

Among the ministry’s main projects next year, he said, was building a water supply system from Sibu to Tanjung Manis.

“This is to cater to the demands of the locals as well as the investors within the halal hub area,” said Awang Tengah, who is also the Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment.

He also said under the National Key Results Area (NKRA), a fund of RM1.7 billion had been allocated for rural water supply and rural electricity supply in Sarawak.

“Some projects have been implemented while some are still ongoing,” he said, adding that the vastness of the state was a huge hurdle.

On another note, Awang Tengah said his ministry and some government-linked companies had carried out RM1.5 billion worth of projects related to telecommunication facilities to achieve the 50 per cent penetration rate in Sarawak.

Touching on the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), he noted that so far the state government had managed to attract nearly RM30 billion in foreign investments.

By 2020, he said, about 8,500mw of electricity would be needed by the industries in SCORE.

Turning to Sarawak Energy Berhad, he urged the corporation to look into tackling the frequent blackouts during the past month.

On the Public Utilities Ministry, he said it would continue to send officers overseas to improve the quality of their services through new ideas and concept.

He applauded the ministry, through Sarawak Energy Berhad, for winning an award at the State Civil Service Day and the Sibu Water Board for receiving  the Chief Minister’s Environmental Award 2012 and winning second place for Excellent Counter Service 2012 during the State Civil Service Day.

Also present were his wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Datuk Awang Daud, Assistant Minister for Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entrie Muran, Ministry of Public Utilities permanent secretary Ubaidillah Abdul Latif and Sarawak Information System CEO Datuk Teo Tien Hiong.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/12/10/state-launches-on-line-counter-system/#ixzz2G8kZfRoV