news

MCMC to build 114 towers in Sarawak

PAKAN: Malaysia Communications and MultiMedia Commission (MCMC) will build 114 communication towers statewide this year, said Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang yesterday.   This would include 10 towers within the Julau parliamentary constituency, he added. Speaking before the presentation of 200 1Malaysia netbooks to community leaders of the Pakan District at Rh.   Akun Engkarong in Supi Atas here, he said the towers would be 3G enabled.   The 10 towers allocated for his Julau constituency would allow about half of its inhabitants to enjoy cellular and internet coverage soon, he explained.   He also said the government would consider creating more WiFi villages and upgrading current broadband services in the constituency.   On another note, Salang said it was sad that some quarters still questioned the government’s decision to distribute netbooks to rural areas with no internet connectivity or power supply.   “If we wait until such places are connected, it will defeat the government’s continuous effort to narrow the digital divide.   “The rural folks can still use their netbooks for other purposes like records and account keeping or they can access the internet when they visit nearby towns or community broadband centres,” he said.   He also reminded the longhouse chiefs that the netbooks were not for their exclusive use, saying they were merely guardians of what belonged to the entire longhouse. — Bernama Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/01/14/mcmc-to-build-114-towers-in-sarawak/#ixzz1kR5PveaZ

news

Sarawak Energy in US$500mil deal to provide power to ferro-alloy plant

KUCHING:  Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) , the state's electricity provider, has signed a USD$500mil (RM1.51bil) to provide 500 megawatts of power for 20 years to  OM Materials (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd , which will be building a ferro-alloy smelting plant. This is the largest investment made by OMH which is a Singapore-based company. The company is a 80:20 joint venture between  OM Holdings (OMH) group and  Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMSB) . Thursday's signing of the power purchase agreement (PPA) with OM Sarawak came two weeks after SEB inked a similar agreement to provide 270MW to  Asia Mineral Ltd , another pioneer investor in Samalaju. SEB  chief executive officer Torstein Sale Sjotveit  said the 500MW would represent nearly 80% of the firm's supply from the 944MW Murum dam currently being built. Electricity for energy-intensive industries in Samalaju will first come from the 2,400MW Bakun dam. He said the inking of the PPAs had proven wrong critics who had claimed that there would be a glut of power in Sarawak. "SEB is committed to support and drive the SCORE (Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy) agenda. "Being a catalyst for investments in SCORE and the state, SEB provides quality and affordable power," added Sjotveit at the signing ceremony here. Chief  Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud  witnessed the event. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/2/2/nation/20120202122019&sec=nation

news

Can SWB supply water to Tg Manis?

Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the study would be undertaken by his ministry and the State Planning Authority (SPA).   “We want to ensure that there will be adequate (water) supply because Tanjung Manis is going to be the biggest halal-hub not only in the country but also in Southeast Asia,” he said at the board’s annual gathering here on Tuesday.   Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Resource Planning and Management, said Sibu had no problem with fresh water supply as it got it source from the longest river in the country, the Rajang River.   He was confident this would be materialised with the commissioning of Salim Treatment Plant (Phase 2) and the upgrading of Bukit Lima Treatment Plant.   The two plants enabled SWB to provide water to the whole of Sibu to the tune of 195 million litres per day (MLD) against the demand of 119 MLD.   “This will ensure sufficient ‘spare’ capacity to last until 2020 based on normal (population) growth.   “It will give SWB ample time to plan for new expansion should there be a sudden surge in demand,” he said.   He added that there were quite a number of submissions and approvals given to the private sector for the opening of businesses in Tanjung Manis and the surrounding areas in Sibu with the completion of Tanjung Manis-Sibu road.   “Besides the halal-hub, Tanjung Manis will also see the expansion of the shipbuilding industry which means that more water will be required.”   Earlier, SWB general manager Daniel Wong Park Ing said the water tariff was still too cheap and structured in such a way that the domestic consumers were subsidised by the commercial and industrial users.   “For many years, SWB has been expanding into the rural areas but without much increase the number commercial or industrial users to subsidise them.   “It is causing severe financial strain on us,” he said.   Assistant Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, Public Utilities Ministry’s permanent secretary Ubaidillah Abdul Latip, a political secretary to the Chief Minister Abu Seman Jahwie, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King , his deputy Daniel Ngieng, Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee, Sibu Rural District Council deputy chairman Clarence Ting and Kuching Port Authority chairman Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah were among those who attended the dinner. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/01/19/can-swb-supply-water-to-tg-manis/#ixzz1lJ6McHfp

news

RM14.4 mln subsidies a year on domestic power bills

LAWAS: The state government spends some RM14.4 million a year in subsidies for about 100,000 domestic consumers with monthly electricity bills of RM20 and below. Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan disclosed this at the breaking of fast and presentation of Raya goodies by Sarawak Electricity Berhad (SEB) to people with disabilities, orphans and senior citizens at Hotel Seri Malaysia here on Saturday. “The government absorbs RM1.2 million each month for about 100,000 consumers who practically pay nothing,” he said. The minister pointed out that the lower power tariffs had also led to tangible benefits for domestic, commercial and industrial consumers, including small fledgling entrepreneurs across the state. “The cottage industries are also enjoying the benefits of lower operation cost from cheaper electricity tariffs,” he said. He pointed out that the state government would be emphasising on connecting more rural areas to the state grid in the 11th Malaysia Plan, and alternative systems would be proposed for areas which cannot be connected to the grid. “The alternative system includes micro-hydro, solar or fuel-solar hybrid system which has its limitations previously but better technology is now available and we will consider which is appropriate,” he added. On plans to boost power supply from the localised grid system in Lawas, he said SEB had approved the proposed Sungai Kota 2 mini-hydro project to churn out another 10MW to meet power demand and reduce dependence on expensive diesel-powered generators in Lawas District. “I have seen the proposal by SEB but it has yet to be presented to the state cabinet but Sungai Kota 2 will be dependent on the expensive diesel fuel to generate power to meet the demand and spur growth,” he said. The current Sungai Kota 1 and Kalamuku mini-hydro dams generate barely 2MW and the rest had to be met by diesel-powered plants as Lawas is isolated from the state grid system. On the fire victims who are resettled in Awat Awat, he called on Sesco to connect the completed Rumah Mesra Rakyat houses to the grid system before Hari Raya. The minister advised those in the district whose houses were completed after the previous Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) project was implemented in the area to apply for power connection as Sesco had a revolving fund for such cases. Meanwhile, Awang Tengah commended SEB for striking a balance between supplying the state with power supply and consistently upholding its corporate social responsibilities (CSR) such as presenting aid and goodies to the needy in the state. He was commenting on SEB’s visit to Bintulu, Miri, Limbang and Lawas before proceeding to Kuching and Lubok Antu for its CSR activities in the state. A total of 88 orphans, 14 new converts, 37 single mothers, 80 disabled persons and 50 senior citizens received the ‘duit raya’ and goodies from SEB in Lawas. Others present at the function included Awang Tengah’s wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Awang Daud, Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong, Bukit Danau assemblyman and SEB board member Paulus Palu Gumbang, SEB vice-president Siti Aishah Adenan and officials.

news

Longhouse gets 24-hour electricity supply

KANOWIT: The commissioning of a power supply at Rumah Veronica Silas in Nanga Bawan here has ended the longhouse residents’ wait of more than 20 years for a round-the-clock electricity. Tuai Rumah Veronica Silas, 50, said the residents of her 14-door longhouse celebrated their Gawai Dayak last month for the first time with 24-hour power supply after it was commissioned in April this year. She recalled her longhouse faced difficulties in getting connected to the state’s power grid when they first received the project implemented under Rural Electrification Scheme (RES). This was despite the longhouse being just about 10 minutes’ drive from the Nibong/Tada Road, she said. “A survey was carried out in 2009 after we applied for the project. “Somehow, it could not be implemented because the proposed power line would cross an oil palm estate belonging to an individual. “We were told to discuss with the estate owner to ask for his permission. “He agreed with the condition that we pay him RM400 per oil palm that would be affected by the project,” she told The Borneo Post when met at her longhouse on Friday. The occasion was a ‘Ngiling Bidai’ (closing of Gawai Dayak) and a ceremony to mark the official commissioning of the power supply to the longhouse organised by Pedai/Jih/Tuah/Bawan Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK). Ngemah assemblyman Alexander Vincent was the guest of honour at the function that was also attended by his wife Susan Clement, Penghulu Ugap Seribu, Penghulu Juin Adan and Pedai/Jih/Tuah/Bawan JKKK chairman Tuai Rumah Basil Ujang. Veronica said after assessment and discussions, only nine trees were identified to be cut off to give way to the project. Problems rose again because the longhouse did not have enough funds to pay the estate owner, she added. During Gawai Dayak last year, Veronica said she invited Alexander to her longhouse for him listen to their problems. “In less than a year, the problem was solved after the caring YB (elected representative) stepped in. “So we invited him again this year to our longhouse so we can share our happiness with him for helping us,” she said. She added each family used to spend between RM300 and RM400 per month for buying diesel for their generator set. “Now we are only paying the most about RM100 per month including RM22 monthly repayment from our total loan of RM800 for the installation of electricity meter,” she said. In his speech at the function, Alexander noted that many longhouses in Nibong/Tada Road including individual houses had been supplied with electricity. He later announced a grant of RM10,000 for the JKKK of Rumah Veronica and RM3,000 to its Women’s Bureau for buying cooking utensils. At the same function, he received PRS membership application forms.

news

Reservoirs of HEP dams long- term solution to water woes

KUCHING: A long-term solution to the water woes in Sarawak would be the usage of reservoirs of hydro electric power (HEP) dams as water sources. Water pollution and/or salty water from rivers are hard to control but the control of water from dams can be assured. Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said he was thinking outside the box in solving the water issue and therefore came out with a long-term solution. Sarawak has so many dams which can definitely be sources of water for the people, he said. He mentioned the reservoir of Bakun HEP dam to solve the murky tap water in Belaga, salty water in Tanjung Manis and the Batang Ai HEP dam to solve salty water-linked problem in Sebuyau, for instance. The Baleh and  Murum dams would be used to solve water woes in the northern region, he added. “All we need is grid piping system. We have dams and so we will make use of them. We have to think outside the box. “Pollution and salt in rivers are hard to control but water quality from these dams can be controlled.” Abang Johari told the press this after opening the new Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Satok Division headquarters in Jalan Kulas on Wednesday. The chief minister also made similar comment at a press conference after closing the Kaul Festival in Mukah on April 30. He said the state cabinet had agreed to appoint a consultant to do an overall study on the matter. The idea is to pump water from the reservoirs of these HEP dams – in Batang Ai, Bakun, Baleh and Murum – to the water treatment plants.

news

‘Hydropower for high income economy’

KUCHING: The development of the hydropower sector provides the foundation for Sarawak’s strategy to reach a high income economy by 2020 through the establishment of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said this in turn would trigger growth and job opportunities for Sarawak, particularly for those in the remote interior living near hydropower sites. “The essence of SCORE is to industrialise the state by leveraging on Sarawak’s competitive advantage in bulk hydropower. “In doing so, we are able to attract investors mainly from energy intensive industries – thereby promoting growth, jobs and development for Sarawak, including those in the interior and indigenous people living near the hydropower sites,” he said at the World Hydropower Congress (WHC) 2015 plenary session entitled ‘Assessing Demand and Opportunities: ASIA’ on the final day of the conference in Beijing, China yesterday. He elaborated that the sustainable development of hydropower projects also provided the opportunity for other spin-off economic development activities such as agriculture, eco-tourism and aquaculture potential of the lakes. “The scale of activity under SCORE is spectacular with an inbound investment of about RM30 billion (USD$8.5 billion). “Currently, the state’s generation capacity mix comprises 75 per cent hydropower and 25 per cent thermal sources. By 2020, to ensure an optimal generation capacity mix, hydropower will remain dominant at around 60 per cent with thermal at 40 per cent,” he said. Awang Tengah was speaking alongside fellow panellists Pakistan Water and Power State Minister Abid Sher Ali, Asian Development Bank East Asia Division director Ashok Bhargava, Nepal Ministry of Energy joint secretary Keshab Dhoj Adhikari, Republic of the Union of Myanmar Ministry of Electric Power deputy minister Maw Thar Htwe, Barki Tojik chairman Rustam Rahmatzoda, International Finance Corporation (IFC) chief investment officer Raghuveer Sharma, and Laos Energy of Mines vice-minister Viraphonh Viravong. He shared the state government’s concern about social issues and environmental sustainability associated with hydropower development. “In this respect, we are proud that the state-owned utility, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), was among the first utilities in the world to become a ‘Sustainability Partner’ of the International Hydropower Association (IHA). “The state will continue to be guided by international standards and protocols in the development of hydropower in Sarawak as well as in managing the social and environmental challenges involved,” he said. Awang Tengah also informed the audience of Sarawak’s experience in Murum HEP resettlement where affected communities are assured of continued support from the government and SEB to ensure their socio-economic condition improves after the resettlement. “These arrangements are in line with our guiding principle and the state’s policy to eradicate poverty so resettled communities would better off than they were before,” he said. He told the congress that Sarawak’s initiatives in generating bulk hydropower had benefited its people and enabled Sarawakians to enjoy cheaper tariffs. “This means that everyone in Sarawak receives a fair share of the benefits secured by our development of hydropower. We are proud that the published tariffs for ordinary consumers, if not the lowest, are among the lowest in Asean.” Summing up, Awang Tengah reiterated that Sarawak had progressed very much due to the development of the energy sector, mainly hydro. “We are able to industrialise and uplift the socio-economic status of our people. This is the way forward for Sarawak to industrialise and improve our economic growth. As a partner to IHA, we are committed to advancing sustainable hydropower development,” he said. The session also heard from other panellists the crucial role hydropower played in energy security and in engineering the development of developing countries like Laos, Myanmar and Pakistan among others.

news

Water treatment plant in Selangau re-commissioned

SELANGAU: Ulu Mukah Water Treatment Plant in Selangau which can give 2.27 million litres of treated water per day was yesterday re-commissioned after about two years of not operating. Public Works Department state director Zuraimi Sabki officiated at the ceremony. Operation of the plant was halted after the new Selangau Water Treatment Plant with a capacity of 7 million litres per day (MLD) commenced. The re-commissioning of the old plant was to address the water shortage problem in Mukah Division, Zuraimi said. Sibu Public Works Department had begun to refurbish the old plant at the end of 2014 and work was completed April this year. It started to supply water to Matadeng area in Mukah Division. People in Matadeng now can get about 1.5 MLD of water. Ulu Mukah Water Treatment Plant was once given 5-star rating by Sarawak Public Works Department.

news

Water plant to cater to eight longhouses

LUBOK ANTU:  The water treatment plant here expected for completion next year will benefit about 20,000 people from eight longhouses in Lubok Antu district.   Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the 18-month project would supply water to longhouses along Nango Bulo Road up to Lubok Antu Road and from Nanga Kesit to Merindun.   “This is good news as the project will end the problem of water shortage in the district,” he said.   His text of speech was read by Assistant Minister of Public Utility Datuk Sylvester Entri at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Lubok Antu Rural Water Supply project at Jalan Batu Kayan here yesterday.   Awang Tengah said the new treatment plant could supply up to 7.5 million litres of water per day compared to 3.0   million litres per day from the Sungai Lemanak water treatment plant.   A total of 14,770 people in Lubok Antu still depend on the river, rainwater, wells and other sources for their water.   “Hopefully, the new project can cater to the needs of people in Lubok Antu regardless of race, religion and political ideology,” he said. Also present at the function were Lubok Antu MP William Nyalau, Engkelili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong, Batang Air assemblyman Malcolm Mussen and others. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/01/22/water-plant-to-cater-to-eight-longhouses/#ixzz1lJ7BxsZ6

news

SEB kaji naikkan kadar pampasan bagi projeknya

SIBU: Kadar bayaran pampasan tanah dan tanaman yang terlibat dengan pembinaan projek talian kuasa di negeri ini mungkin dinaikkan.   Pengurus Kanan (Way Leave) Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) Sipol Ambun berkata, lembaga pengarah sedang mengkaji kadar kenaikan tersebut. “Ini adalah berita baik untuk mereka yang terlibat dengan projek berkenaan,” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian semasa sesi dialog dengan pemimpin masyarakat tempatan di dewan serba guna Pejabat Daerah di Kanowit di sini.   Sipol berkata pelaksanaan projek itu akan dilakukan dalam dua fasa yang bermula dari Similajau di Bintulu hingga ke Nanga Tada di sini, iaitu kira-kira 200 kilometer (km).   Katanya, fasa kedua pula melibatkan jarak kira-kira 300 km iaitu dari Nanga Tada ke Tondong di Bau.   Di Nanga Tada, beliau menjelaskan, projek berkenaan akan melibatkan 24 rumah panjang dengan mengambil sumber kuasa daripada empangan hidroelektrik Bakun dan Murum.   Beliau juga menasihati mereka yang terlibat supaya menyuarakan sebarang ketidakpuasan hati sekiranya terdapat sebarang pertikaian.   “Jika boleh, cuba elakkan sebarang salah faham,” ujar beliau.   Sementara itu, Pegawai Tadbir (SAO) Negeri Jabang Juntan dalam ucapannya menasihati orang ramai supaya bekerjasama dengan agensi pelaksanaan.   Menurut beliau, ia bertujuan memastikan projek yang direncanakan dapat berjalan dengan lancar.   Antara yang hadir pada majlis itu ialah Pemanca Spencer Kudang dan Pegawai Jabatan Penerangan Kanowit Wan Mohd Zuki Wan Ismail. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/02/21/seb-kaji-naikkan-kadar-pampasan-bagi-projeknya/#ixzz1oJXZ3wrZ