These water supply projects have been carefully planned by the Sarawak government through the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication and the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) as the implementing agency, as well as the federal government through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), to meet the increasing water supply demand in Bintulu Division.

In stating this, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said so far, 31 water supply projects worth around RM234 million had been completed and had successfully addressed several water supply issues in several areas in Bintulu Division.

He said eight projects worth around RM118 million are still in the construction phase and show very positive development.

“In addition, there are seven projects worth around RM416 million still in the planning phase,” he said after visiting the Samarakan High Level Water Tank near here yesterday.

Julaihi said the overall progress of the eight projects that are still in the construction stage shows a very encouraging work performance despite previously facing implementation challenges following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“However, the Sarawak JBALB together with the project contractors have taken appropriate steps to ensure that the water supply projects run and are implemented according to the time frame that had been set,” he added.

As for the MSCL 600mm water pipe construction project across Kemena Bridge to Simpang IKM worth approximately RM7.3 million, he said it was completed in August 2021 and handed over to Laku Management Sdn Bhd.

“This project has greatly benefited the residents of Jepak, Jalan Bintulu-Tatau, and Kuala Tatau by increasing the amount of water supplied to the area,” he said.

On the Samarakan High Level Tank construction project under Package NR1 WO2, he said the project worth approximately RM15.7 million was 98.31 per cent completed and expected to be fully completed by the end of this year.

Julaihi said the project included the installation of new pipelines and improvements to existing booster pump stations.

“When this project is fully completed later, it will benefit the residents of the Jepak area, especially the area along the Bintulu-Tatau road,” he pointed out.

Julaihi said JBALB Sarawak will ensure that the projects that are currently in the implementation stage will be completed within the set time frame, in order to ensure a better and continuous quality of water supply in Bintulu.

He said the projects are part of the Sarawak Water Supply Grid System which was inspired by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to solve water supply issues effectively and comprehensively.