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RM5.7bil for Sarawak under NKRA

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak has been allocated RM5.7bil under the National Key Results Area (NKRA) to carry out various infrastructure projects and provide amenities to upgrade the living standard of the people. Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said by the end of next year, 700km of roads would be completed, about 12,000 people would benefit from a rural electrification scheme (RES) and 4,000 more, from treated water supply. They would involve 2,866 households and 5,238 hardcore poor. “By end of 2012, RES will increase from the current 66% to 95% and treated water from 57% to 90%,” Taib told the media here recently. The Rural and Regional Development Minis-try said there had been encouraging progress in the construction of roads and the provision of power supply to rural areas under the NKRA for rural infrastructure nationwide. Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the ministry had built 207.7km of road as of Jan 31, this year, with 44.5km in Sabah, 37.37km (Sarawak) and 125.86km (Peninsular Malaysia). It aims to complete the construction of another 697.4km of roads to achieve the target of 905.12km for the year. On electricity supply, he said the ministry was in the process of channelling supply to housing areas in Sabah and Sarawak, which was expected to be completed this year, targeting some 27,000 houses nationwide. During Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak 's recent visit to Serian, he had announced a whopping RM252.35mil allocation for water and electricity supply. Many among the Opposition parties, said to be out of ideas for campaigning during by-elections in Kerdau and Merlimau, recently tried to question the timing of announcements by the Barisan Nasional government for such development projects, alleging that they were made simply to bait for votes. According to Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin , the Government aimed to complete all projects under the NKRA in Sarawak by next year, and that he was closely monitoring them via monthly reports on their progress. - Bernama http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/3/24/nation/8334676&sec=nation

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Don’t waste water, Mirians told

MIRI: Preserve water and avoid wastage of water in daily use. Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water, Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui who came out with the advice said the per capita consumption of water in Malaysia is among the highest as compared with her neighbouring countries Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. Up till now the government has provided over 90 water catchment areas in the state to accommodate the rising population and high water treatment consumption in big cities. “Thus to cater to the high demand for treated water, the government has taken the initiative to gazette more of water catchment areas in the states as to prevent shortages of water sources in the future,” he pointed out. Chin, who is also Miri MP, said this during Youth Forum – The Greater Miri 2020 held at Miri Library Sunday evening. According to him, the cost of water treatment is high although many people would say that water is free in the world, and many question on why consumers have to pay much for it. “It is true that water is one of the natural resources in the world. However, to have clean water for daily consumption which needs to be treated in the water treatment plant, makes it costly,” he pointed out. More over, he said that the ministry took serious concern regarding the preservation of water catchment areas. Plantations, especially involving the use of pesticides and chemical substances are prohibited in these areas, and if found, the ministry would impose a steep compound on the culprit. “This is because the use of pesticide or chemical substances on any agri-cultural activity will flow into the water catchment areas thus will pollute the water, at the same time it incurs high cost of operation for water treatment,” he added. Meanwhile, to-date the state government has provided more than 90 areas water catchment system to ensure treated water supply could accommodate the daily consumption of the populace. At the same time, he advised Miri population that it would easily amount to about 300,000 to be water preserving and avoid the wastage of water in daily use. “We should consume water accordingly as to avoid wastage of resources at the same time to support water preserving campaign in conjunction with the World Water Day 2011,” he pointed out. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=106728

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‘Durian runtuh’ bernilai RM252.85 juta untuk penduduk Serian

SERIAN: Rakyat di sini semalam bagai mendapat ‘durian runtuh’ sejurus sahaja Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan Ketua Menteri  Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud membuat pengumuman peruntukkan bagi infrastruktur asas di kawasan itu. Najib yang merasmikan Program Sejiwa Senada peringkat bahagian  Samarahan membuat pengumuman mengejut peruntukan bernilai RM252.85 juta bagi tujuan bekalan air, elektrik serta menaik taraf klinik. “Kerajaan bersetuju untuk me-nyiapkan projek membina bekalan air luar bandar di kawasan Tebedu dengan kos RM105 juta dan ia akan ditender pada akhir Mac ini yang memberi manfaat kepada 2,910 buah rumah di sekitarnya,” kata beliau  sejurus sahaja selepas merasmikan program berkenaan, di sini. Pemimpin nombor satu negara itu turut mengumumkan projek membina dan menyiapkan bekalan air luar bandar bagi wilayah Serian dengan kos RM116.5 juta yang memberi manfaat kepada 4,416 buah rumah. Selain itu cadangan projek bekalan elektrik luar bandar bagi kawasan Parlimen Serian dengan kos RM18.7 juta dengan sembilan projek me-    libatkan 608 buah rumah. “Kerajaan juga bersetuju untuk menyiapkan projek Klinik Kesihatan Teng Bukap di Padawan dengan kos RM12.5 juta selain projek menyediakan penghawa dingin bagi Dewan Masyarakat Serian dengan kos RM120,000,” katanya. Khabar gembira itu bukan sahaja daripada kerajaan persekutuan tetapi kerajaan negeri yang memperuntukkan RM90 juta bagi dua projek jalan di kawasan Serian yang di-umumkan oleh Taib. “Kita memperuntukan sebanyak RM30 juta bagi projek Jalan Terbat-Mapu yang tendernya belum lagi dipastikan. “Selain itu kita juga memperuntukan RM60 juta bagi projek Munggu Kopi juga di Serian yang akan kita jalankan secara berperingkat,” katanya. Taib terdahulu dalam ucapannya berkata di bawah Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Negara (NKRA) Sarawak mendapat RM5.7 bilion sehingga 2012 bagi menjalankan projek infrastruktur asas termasuk bekalan air, elektrik dan jalan raya. Daripada projek berkenaan 700km di bawah projek jalan luar bandar telahpun dimulakan dan satu pertiga daripadanya telah disiapkan. Sementara itu di bawah projek bekalan elektrik luar bandar kira-kira 12,000 buah rumah berjaya dibekalkan bekalan elektrik dan sebanyak 4,000 buah rumah bakal diberi peluang untuk melaksanakan projek skim bekalan air luar bandar. Manakala bagi program 1AZAM pula yang bertujuan untuk membasmikan kemiskinan seramai 2,866 ketua isi rumah menerima pelbagai jenis bantuan. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=105966

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Bakun expected to generate power in July

KUCHING: The Bakun hydroelectric dam is expected to commercially produce 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity in July this year, said Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd managing director Zulkifle Osman. He said impoundment started on Oct 13 last year and the reservoir’s water level was now at 184.6 metres. Zulkifle said flooding was needed to reach the minimum operation level of 195m to conduct reliability run, which would take at least a month. “We are getting good rainfall from upstream for the past weeks. “Based on our calculation, if the rainfall continues, the reservoir’s water level may reach 195m by end-April or early May,” he told Bernama here yesterday. The area to be flooded covers 690sq km, equal to the size of Singapore. — Bernama http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=103832

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Kerajaan mahu lebih banyak sekolah aplikasikan teknologi hijau, kata Chin

MIRI: Kementerian Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air ingin melihat lebih banyak sekolah-sekolah di Sarawak diberi peluang untuk mengaplikasikan teknologi hijau pada struktur bangunan masing-masing. Menterinya, Datuk Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui berkata ia adalah usaha untuk menggalakkan lebih ramai lagi pelajar Malaysia menghayati teknologi hijau, seterusnya menjadi penyelesaian kepada keperluan guna tenaga. “Cabaran utama dalam mentransformasikan Malaysia sebagai hab Teknologi Hijau di rantau ini tidak hanya terhad dengan penyediaan prasarana dan infrastruktur yang terbaik, tetapi usaha mendidik pengguna terutamanya kanak-kanak,” katanya pada Majlis Pelancaran Kempen Sekolah Hijau di Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Lutong semalam. Kempen itu dilaksanakan bersama oleh Persatuan Pengeluar Tenaga Bebas Malaysia (Penjanabebas) dan Malaysia Building Integrated Photovoltaic (MBIPV), dengan mengguna pakai sistem solar bersepadu photovoltaic (PV). Chin menambah, adalah penting untuk amalan-amalan hijau dipraktikkan pada usia yang muda kerana ia merupakan satu langkah yang bijak dan inisiatif sedemikian dapat membantu memelihara sumber tenaga semula jadi yang semakin berkurangan. “Namun isu-isu alam sekitar dan keselamatan tenaga memaksa negara untuk menimbang bukan sahaja sumber bahan api fosil tetapi juga sumber tenaga yang lain untuk memenuhi keperluan tenaga elektrik yang semakin meningkat,” katanya. Sehubungan dengan itu katanya, kerajaan telah mengetengahkan agenda Teknologi Hijau sebagai sebahagian daripada pelan transformasi ekonomi negara, selain menjadi penyelesaian kepada keperluan tenaga. Tambahnya, perkara utama yang ingin dicapai adalah untuk mengurangkan kesan negatif bahan api fosil terhadap alam sekitar di samping menjadikan Teknologi Hijau sebagai sebuah industri yang dapat menjana pendapatan negara. “Saya amat menyokong idea penaja projek, Penjanabebas dan MBIPV untuk menganjurkan kempen Sekolah Hijau untuk SMK Lutong di mana sistem PV dengan kapasiti 5 kiloWatt peak (kWp) yang dilihat boleh menjana pendapatan,” katanya. Beliau menyarankan kepada pihak penaja projek untuk memastikan agihan sekolah tidak tertumpu pada sesebuah negeri sahaja bagi meningkatkan kesedaran terhadap kepentingan tenaga hijau di seluruh negara. Selain SMK Lutong, empat sekolah lain di dalam program ini terdiri daripada SMK St John’s di Kuala Lumpur, SMK Bukit Baru di Melaka, SJK (C) San Min di Teluk Intan, Perak dan SJK (T) Sg Renggam di Shah Alam, Selangor. Kementeriannya juga telah membentangkan Rang Undang-Undang bagi Akta Tenaga Boleh Diperbaharui di Parlimen pada 15 Disember tahun lepas. “Rang undang-undang ini akan menjadi elemen utama bagi menggalakkan penggunaan Tenaga Boleh Diperbaharui di Malaysia apabila mekanisme (Feed-in Tariff) FiT diperkenalkan,” ujarnya. Katanya, di bawah mekanisme ini, bangunan yang mempunyai sistem solar PV yang disambungkan ke grid seperti di sekolah ini, akan dapat menjual tenaga yang dihasilkan oleh panel PV tersebut kepada sistem utiliti. “Langkah ini sudah tentu akan memberi faedah kepada sekolah-sekolah dalam jangka masa panjang dan ia turut selaras dengan hasrat kerajaan untuk menggalakkan penyertaan seluruh rakyat Malaysia untuk menjana tenaga daripada sumber yang boleh diperbaharui,” jelasnya. Hadir sama ialah Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Tan Sri Dr. George Chan Hong Nam; Pemangku Presiden Penjanabebas, Dr Ong Peng Su, Menteri Muda Komunikasi, Datuk Lee Kim Shin; Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Pujut, Andy Chia dan Pengetua SMK Lutong Marcus Hugo.

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‘State govt mulls raising RES loan to RM1,200’

LAPOK: The state government is seriously considering to raise the loan ceiling for house electrification from Sesco under the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) to RM1,200 from the present RM800. Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran revealed this at the ‘meet the people’ session and presentation of 1Malaysia water tanks at Rumah Meran Surang, Loagan Bunut in Lapok sub-district yesterday. “Applicants can choose to get RM800 or RM1,200 loan for the internal wiring of their homes, and the contractor will be appointed by Sesco,” he said. He said this would allow more rural people to enjoy electricity. On another matter, the Marudi assemblyman expressed disappointment over the accusation by Tuai Rumah Kalong Goh that he failed to deliver his promise for a brighter Christmas for Lapok and Ulu Teru longhouse folk. “I have delivered on my part as the entire RES system was already energised and there is energy for all the consumers in the target longhouses before Christmas, but some longhouse chiefs failed to ensure that the internal wirings of the respective longhouses were already completed,” he said. He pointed out that Kalong longhouse was just next to TR Abok’s longhouse which had electricity through the grid system and TR Henry Chaling’s longhouse was in darkness unlike the longhouses of TR Nyurat and TR Mathew Sigat which were lighted up though they were in the same area. He advised leaders to get their facts right or risk being accused of misleading the public with falsehoods if they were ignorant of what was going on. To SPDP leaders who attended the SPDP dialogue with SPDP Youth chief Robert Ayu and aspiring candidate Datu Dr Penguang Manggil, he said they should ask themselves why other longhouses in the same area had electricity and theirs did not have. At the same time, Entri reminded the longhouse folk to be focussed on supporting BN in the coming state election, and said he welcomed financial assistance from any quarters to help them, regardless of party affiliation. “If SPDP or anyone wants to give money, by all means take it as it for the benefit of the rakyat but keep our eyes peeled and remember to give a big mandate to BN and our Chief Minister in the state election,” he said. Meanwhile, in his speech, Sarawak administrative officer (SAO) for Tinjar sub-district, Belayong Pok, said the civil service worked for the government of the day, including Entri as assistant minister. He also called on community leaders to know their roles and responsibilities. “It has crossed my mind that there were issues of leadership skills and quality for some chiefs, and the respective village development and security committee should be proactive and be with the government of the day,” he said. The longhouse chief in his speech read out by a representative thanked Entri for the various development projects for the longhouse, including the rural electrification programme. His views were shared by longhouse chiefs from Lapok and Ulu Teru who were happy that they were now able to enjoy uninterrupted power supply. Also present were Pemanca Enggah Muga, councillors and longhouse chiefs in Tinjar and Ulu Teru. Later, Entri presented RM30,000 to Rumah Meran’s Women’s Bureau for their building fund and RM3,000 each to other women’s bureaus in the area for their activities.

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Kerajaan pertimbang cadangan tambah permohonan BELB

LAPOK: Kerajaan negeri mempertimbang cadangan menambah jumlah pinjaman maksimum daripada RM800 kepada RM1,200 sebulan bagi memenuhi permintaan permohonan kali pertama bekalan elektrik di bawah projek Bekalan Elektrik Luar Bandar (BELB). Perkara tersebut dijelaskan Menteri Muda Kemudahan Awam Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran pada sesi bertemu rakyat dan sumbangan Tangki Air 1Malaysia di Rumah Meran Surang di Loagan Bunu, Lapok semalam. “Pemohon boleh membuat pilihan pinjaman RM800 atau RM1,200 untuk pendawaian dalaman di kediaman mereka dan kontraktor dipilih oleh SESCo,” katanya. Jelaasnya, ia akan mempercepatkan kerja pendawaian sekali gus menjamin keselamatan pengguna rumah panjang dan penempatan semula di bawah projek BELB, sekali gus memenuhi permintaan yang meningkat daripada penduduk luar bandar untuk mendapatkan bekalan elektrik di kediaman mereka. Entri yang juga ADUN Marudi kesal dengn tuduhan sesetengah pihak menyatakan beliau gagal menunaikan janji membekalkan bekalan elektrik di rumah panjang di Lapok dan Ulu Teru semasa perayaan Krismas lalu. “Saya menunaikan tanggungjawab kerana seluruh sistem projek ini berfungsi dan terdapat sumber tenaga untuk semua pengguna untuk rumah panjang sebelum Hari Krismas. “Tetapi sesetengah tuai rumah gagal memastikan pendawaian dalaman rumah panjang mereka dipasang,” jelasnya. Beliau mahu pemimpin masyarakat lebih bertanggungjawab dan tidak menimbulkan rasa benci di kalangan rakyat dengan tuduhan serta membuat fitnah. Beliau mahu pengundi termasuk di rumah panjang terus memberi keyakinan dan sokongan kepada Barisan Nasional (BN) demi kemenangan dalam Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) akan datang. Entri turut menyampaikan geran RM30,000 kepada Biro Wanita Rumah Meran untuk tabung projek bangunan dan geran RM3,000 sebagai dana aktiviti Biro Wanita di kawasan tersebut. Turut hadir Pemanca Enggah Muga, Pegawai Tadbir Sarawak Daerah Kecil Tinjar Belayong Pok dan tuai-tuai rumah di Tinjar dan Ulu Teru.

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IWA Unveils Host Cities for 2028 and 2030 World Water Congress & Exhibition

The International Water Association (IWA) is delighted to unveil the chosen locations for the 2028 and 2030 editions of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition.  Following the meetings of the IWA Board on September 14-15 and the IWA Governing Assembly on September 16 in Bordeaux, France, IWA is pleased to announce that Kuching, Malaysia has been selected as the location for the 2028 IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition, and São Paulo, Brazil as the location for the 2030 edition.  Outstanding proposals supported by high-level delegations were received from both candidates, with the Malaysian bid led by the Malaysian Water Association and the Brazilian bid led by ABES – the Brazilian Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering.  The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition is a global event covering the full water cycle, attracting thousands of leading professionals and companies from across the water sector. The event provides a platform to build new insights into how pioneering science, technological innovation and leading practices shape water management worldwide. With the biennial event moving from location to location, each edition offers an opportunity to highlight regional issues and expertise and to strengthen connections within and beyond the region.  Following the announcement, Dr Mohmad Asari bin Daud, President of the Malaysian Water Association (MWA), commented: “I am truly humbled for this incredible honour of Malaysia being selected by IWA to host the prestigious World Water Congress & Exhibition in 2028.  “I would like to acknowledge and extend my heartfelt appreciation to our valued partners, including water associations and companies in Southeast Asia for their support in our bid for the congress. Through collaborations and partnerships, we have been able to create a powerful network, also through platforms such as the Southeast Asia Water Utility Network.  “Furthermore, MWA’s active involvement in the Asia Pacific region through the IWA ASPIRE conference has allowed us to establish strong ties and foster collaboration with esteemed water organisations. This has not only enabled us to learn from the best but also share our expertise and experiences, ultimately enhancing water management practices on a global scale.”  The Brazilian team also expressed its excitement for São Paulo being selected as the host location for 2030.   Marcel Sanches, Secretary-General of ABES, said: “It is an honour for ABES to bring to Brazil one of the most important water events in the world. It will be a unique opportunity to strengthen the role of Brazil and our region on the issue of water, as it will be the first time that an event of this size will be held in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will be seven years of hard work together to promote this achievement, which, we hope, will be a milestone in our country and on the continent.”  National President of ABES, Alceu Guérios Bittencourt, added: “With 57 years of existence, ABES has consolidated operations at a national level and we are increasingly expanding our relationship with entities from all over the world.”  Looking ahead to joint events with IWA leading up to 2030, Luiz Pladevall, President of ABES São Paulo Section, remarked: “It was great for ABES-SP to collaborate with the National Board of ABES to make this event possible with this important institution, which is IWA.”  The 2024 edition of the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition will be held in Toronto, Canada, on 11-15 August 2024. The 2026 edition will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, at the city’s Scottish Event Campus. The most recent edition was held in 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark and was the largest and most comprehensive staging of IWA’s flagship event to date. View the Copenhagen report.  

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Work on treated-water project in Mongkos to start soon

SERIAN: Work on the long-awaited treated water supply project for Mongkos area is expected to start this June, said Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan. He revealed this project, costing RM114 million, is included under the 11th Malaysian Plan (11MP). He, however, did not mention when the project would be completed although he did state folks in Mongkos would finally get to enjoy treated water soon. “This is the benefit of good ties between our Chief Minister and Prime Minister and good relationship between state BN and federal BN,” he said when launching the Rural Electricity Supply (RES) project for Mongkos at Balai Babuk Barum in Kampung Bunan Gega yesterday. Awang Tengah was responding to a remark by Kedup assemblyman Martin Ben, who had hoped the project could be completed in the next five years. Martin, who spoke earlier, said villagers living along Mongkos Road, Terbat Road and Mentung Merau Road – who are now depending on gravity-fed water system – had been clamouring for treated water to their homes. On RES, Awang Tengah said close to RM53 million of RES projects involving 2,378 houses had been implemented in Kedup constituency from 2009 to 2015. This figure included the latest one costing RM3.99 million and involving 257 applicants from Mentu Mawang/Pondok, Bunan Gega, Bunan Punuk and Mujat. After being informed by Martin that seven remaining villages in Kedup had yet to be connected to the electricity grid, he assured these villages would be included in the next planning by the ministry. “RM2.5 billion has been allocated for RES projects in Sarawak, including an additional RM500 million to build hydro dams and solar hybrid to generate electricity in remote areas. “Sarawak is big; therefore, we need more allocation so that we can extend electricity either linked to grid or through alternative system.” On another matter, Awang Tengah called on the constituents to support Martin in the coming state election, and he urged them to reject Peninsula-based parties, whose struggles are not suitable for Sarawak. “I know Martin for a long time. We were together in PBB Youth. I am glad he had taken over from his late father to serve the people here.” Meanwhile, Martin said almost 95 per cent of the 115 villages in Kedup were now enjoying 24-hour electricity, thanks to the RES. “Most of the constituents in Kedup are involved in farming. I hope you utilise the utilities and infrastructure to achieve sustainable income in years to come.”

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‘Only 20 pct of Balai Ringin not connected to power grid’

SERIAN: All the seven villages in Melikin within Balai Ringin constituency have been enjoying 24-hour electricity supply since last year through a RM5.2-million project under the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES). The villages are part of the 80 per cent of Balai Ringin constituency that have benefited from RES which was implemented by Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) at a cost of RM112.5 million. The remaining 20 per cent of the area yet to be connected to the main electricity grid are Kampung Sebangkoi Mawang, Kampung Sega, Kampung Indai, Kampung Tuba, Kampung Sapak and Kampung Mentu. “These six villages are all located in the remote area of the constituency. Nevertheless, we (government) will be hastening the RES projects to ensure 100 per cent coverage,” said Balai Ringin assemblyman Snowdan Lawan during the official launch of the RES project at Kampung Danau Krangas, Melikin yesterday. He also said a series of dialogue sessions was currently held with the villagers whose land and farms would be affected by the electrification project that would involve the construction of HT/LT lines, transformers, voltage regulators, underground cable and Sesco meters. He also announced that RM10 million had been allocated by KKLW for other RES projects in Balai Ringin. “We have received a large allocation for the RES projects and should be thankful to the Barisan Nasional (BN) for constantly looking into the welfare of the people,” said Snowdan, who was first elected as the constituency’s assemblyman in 2006. He also said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had always made it a priority to look into the welfare and improve the quality of life of those living in the rural areas of the state. Besides electricity supply, he said most villages were in dire of continuous clean water supply as they now depended on the ‘blue water tanks’, rivers and gravity feed system as their source of water. To address the perennial problem, he suggested that the whole of Balai Ringin be connected to the new and upgraded water treatment plant in Slabi, Serian. “Currently we have a total of 188 villages in Balai Ringin and would need at least 3,000 water tanks,” said Snowdan, and disclosed that he personally had bought 800 water tanks for the villagers. Also speaking was the village’s Tuai Rumah Luang Penguang, who on behalf of all the 26 households in the village requested that Sesco install street lamps from the Serian-Sri Aman road to their village. “We also hope that the road leading to this village will be upgraded to provide the village folks better access in and out of the village,” he added. Luang pledged that all of the villagers would rally behind Snowdan in the upcoming state election as he (Snowdan) had contributed a lot to the village’s development. Among those present at the official launching ceremony were Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom and Serian district officer Sindi Muling.