KUCHING: More areas in Sarawak will have 24-hour electricity coverage this year.

Minister of Utilities Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom in revealing this said the state plans to extend 24-hour electricity coverage to another 72 areas in 2017.

He said last year, some 58 areas had received 24-hour electricity supply.

“We will use the Blue Ocean Strategy to expedite the connection to rural areas in terms of 24-hour electricity and clean water supply.

“We will continue to take alternative approaches to provide electricity as well as alternative clean water supply that can stand alone,” he told reporters after officiating at the presentation ceremony of Desa Perdana Award at the Old State Legislative Assembly Complex Hall here yesterday.

The Desa Perdana Award was organised by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.

Dr Rundi said the alternative approaches were to ensure that people who live beyond the reticulation and power grid could have 24-hour water and electricity supply.

“We hope the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development will support us so that we can expedite connecting the rural people in Sarawak with these basic facilities,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Dr Rundi said the state had set a target of achieving 100 per cent electrification by 2025.

Currently, the state electrification coverage is around 87 per cent.

On another matter, Dr Rundi said the state government had looked into ways of how to qualify someone to be the Tuai Rumah or Ketua Kampung in the state.

He said the cabinet had agreed that the Residents were to coordinate the appointment of all Tuai Rumah and Ketua Kampung.

“With that I think the Resident will call and give them the proper criteria for the appointment of the Tuai Rumah and Ketua Kaum,” he said.

Also present at the press conference was Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and Assistant Minister of Community Well Being Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.