KUCHING: The state’s treated water coverage has increased substantially from 65 per cent in 2004 to 80.5 per cent in 2015.

Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said to continue enhancing the management and delivery of our water supply and services in the rural areas, the state government had established a new department called Rural Water Supply Department to focus on its core business of supplying water.

He added under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11th MP), a sum of RM3.62 billion had been agreed for the implementation of water supply projects in Sarawak including continuation projects carried over from the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10th MP).

“From the amount, RM2.67 billion comes under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, with the funding and appointment of consultants and contractors directly under the ministry.

In his winding-up speech yesterday, Dr Rundi said his ministry would continue to secure more funds and seek more empowerment in terms of planning and implementation of projects from the federal government by allocating the funds directly to the sate.

“My ministry will work closely with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Transportation to enable the planning and implementation of water and electricity supply projects to the rural areas are carried out in tandem with the rural road connectivity projects.

“As for the remote communities without road access or not feasible to be extended for the water supply system from the existing water supply authorities, alternative water supply system will be implemented such as the proposed programme called Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (SAWAS) programme,” he told the august House.

The programme would be developed to explore and implement various alternative systems applicable to different areas in the state, be it coastal areas or the hinterland.

On the implementation of the programme, the ministry would seek the necessary funding from the federal government.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES) and Alternative Hybrid Rural Electrification Project (HYBRID) are stand-alone schemes utilising renewable energy technology, another alternative approach undertaken by the government.

“SARES will complement the HYBRID programme to accelerate rural electrification by providing stand-alone solar and micro-hydro systems to the most inaccessible villages. It is estimated that over 300 villages comprising about 8,700 households will be supplied under SARES over the next five years.

“The first 50 projects will be implemented this year at a cost of RM75 million,” he said.

Dr Rundi told a press conference later that the state needed very strong support from the federal government in terms of funding and empowerment. This was to ensure that the state would have the authority to choose the priority and coordinate the water and electricity supplies.

“I must tell you that funding is the core issue here. As such, I’m trying to get my officers to work extra hard especially the new department (Rural Water Supply) to look at ways to expedite the supply of treated water to the rural areas,” he said.

As of now all plans and contractors were appointed by the federal government through the new department.

“Nonetheless, we have achieved certain good percentage but we are yet to move faster. I have been given the task by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to fulfil the aspiration and expectation of the rural people as they have high expectation on how we can resolve their predicament as soon as possible.

“I appeal to the federal government to really look into our proposal, especially in the 11thMP, which is where we can fulfil what we have promised to the people. With the economic downturn we have to work harder and work hand-in-hand with the federal government to facilitate the development programme for public utilities in the state.

He also said the state government was requesting RM6 billion for water and another RM6 billion for electricity from the federal government to be able to see the impact.