Abang Johari pushes the symbolic button to mark the official launch of the project. – Penerangan photo

SEBUYAU (Nov 23): Power supply disruptions in Samarahan Division will become a thing of the past by 2028 following the launch of the RM150 million Samarahan Division electricity supply upgrading project today.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the project is necessary due to rising electricity demand, as rural communities, including those in Samarahan, now rely heavily on modern electrical appliances compared to the early days of the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES), which only provided single-phase power meant for minimal household use.

With the upgrade, households will receive three-phase supply comparable to urban areas, supported by substations in Asajaya and Sebuyau and equipped with modern, insulated wiring systems.

“This will prevent tripping – if the supply is sufficient and the wiring is modern, tripping will be reduced, and our community can continue life as usual without being disrupted by electricity issues,” he told a press conference after officiating at the launch held at Dewan Kampung Sampat Sebangan in Sebuyau.

Abang Johari explained that although the federal government had previously announced funding for the upgrade, the project was never implemented and the allocation is no longer available.

“Because of that, the state government has taken over by providing RM150 million to upgrade the electricity supply throughout Samarahan Division up to Sebuyau, enabling households to receive three-phase electricity – the same standard as in urban areas,” he said.

According to Abang Johari, the demand for electricity has risen sharply due to changing lifestyles in rural areas, accelerated by ongoing infrastructure and economic development.

“In 1979, when the RES first came to Samarahan, it was based on single-phase electricity because people only needed power for a refrigerator and maybe three to four power points.

“But today everything has changed – even cooking rise uses electricity, and almost all household appliances require reliable supply,” he added.

Earlier in his officiating speech, Abang Johari said two substations — one in Asajaya and another in Sebuyau — will support the strengthened grid, while 134 kilometres of modern insulated cables will replace older single-phase lines.

The project will be carried out in five packages beginning December this year, with completion scheduled between February and November 2028.

A similar initiative will be implemented in Betong Division, bringing the total state-funded investment for both divisions to RM300 million.

In this regard, Abang Johari appealed to local communities to help safeguard project materials, citing concerns over vandalism and cable theft.

“Cable is expensive, especially copper. We ask the community to help protect the materials because vandalism affects the people themselves,” he said.

Abang Johari said the upgrade is also essential to support future housing expansion, noting that more than 6,000 new residential lots are planned for Samarahan and surrounding areas over the next five years.

“With modern houses, you cannot use single-phase anymore. Three-phase is necessary,” he said.

He added that the state is committed to ensuring rural areas have infrastructures on par with urban centres.

“By 2030, our aim is for rural areas to have facilities on par with towns — from roads to electricity and water supply,” he added.

Also present were Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, who is also Sebuyau assemblyman and his deputies Datuk Liwan Lagang and Datuk Ibrahim Baki; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who is also Asajaya assemblyman; State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Aidel Lariwoo, who is also Sadong Jaya assemblyman; Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang, who is also Kota Samarahan MP.