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Upgraded water treatment plant capable of supplying water to Betong — Jabu

BETONG: Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu said the upgrading of the water treatment plant in Lubau Layar is capable of meeting the demand from Betong. Fully operational in March, the plant, Jabu said, would be able to provide clean water to the people in Betong.   “At the moment, the main plant in Lubau has been upgraded to handle bigger volume of water while the water reservoir in Melaban to channel the water along Jalan Tanjung Assam has been completed,” said Jabu during a meet-the-leader session organised by the Betong Special Affairs Department (Jasa) at Rumah George Gerrie, Benggang, Betong recently.   The completed upgrade would now enable works to be carried out to connect water supply to residents along Jalan Tanjung Assam and nearby areas, he said.   He reminded the people to give their full cooperation when work is being carried out by the waterboard and Public Works Department (JKR) “Villagers must also know the procedure for connecting water pipes by filling up a form issued by JKR,” said Jabu, who is also Layar assemblyman.   He said providing clean water and electricity supply is the endless dedication of the Barisan Nasional government to the people.   “This is also possible due to the people’s support and trust for the BN,” said Jabu, urging Betong voters to continue giving their support to Dato Sri Douglas Uggah Embas in the 13th parliamentary election.   Meanwhile, the village safety and development committee will receive a total of RM6,000 from Jabu and Unggah, who have allocated RM3,000 each. Also present was Saribas assemblyman Razi Sita. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/02/21/upgraded-water-treatment-plant-capable-of-supplying-water-to-betong-jabu/#ixzz2MuPKSXu2

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Pembangunan IT Sarawak diiktiraf

TUKAR DOKUMEN: Teo (kanan) bertukar dokumen dengan pentadbir Wilayah Tengah Papua New Guinea Gei Guni Raga sambil disaksikan Ketua Menteri Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem (dua kanan) dan Gabenor Wilayah Tengah Papua New Guinea Kila Hoada (dua kiri). KUCHING: Kerajaan Wilayah Tengah Papua New Guinea (PNG) menjadikan Sarawak sebagai model dalam pelaksanaan pembangunan teknologi maklumat (IT) di wilayah tengah negara itu. Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Sarawak Information Systems Sdn  Bhd (SAINS) Datuk Teo Tien Hiong berkata Sarawak merupakan salah satu daripada penyedia IT terkemuka di Malaysia. Malah menurut Teo, pelaksanaan pembangunan IT di Sarawak turut mendapat pengiktirafan antarabangsa sehingga menarik minat kerjasama daripada PNG. “Kami telah melaksanakan pembangunan IT di Sarawak selama 23 tahun dan telah berjaya membantu negeri sehingga muncul sebagai salah satu daripada pelaksana IT terkemuka di Malaysia. “Ini adalah antara sebab mengapa mereka berminat menjalinkan kerjasama dengan kami dan menjadikan Sarawak sebagai model bagi mereka membangunkan IT di negara mereka,” katanya. Teo berkata demikian ketika ditemui selepas Majlis Menandatangani Memorandum Perjanjian (MOA) antara Kerajaan Wilayah Tengah PNG dan SAINS semalam. Majlis tersebut berlangsung di Pejabat Ketua Menteri, Tingkat 22, Wisma Bapa Malaysia di sini. Tambah Teo, selain PNG, negara-negara lain yang pernah bekerjasama dengan SAINS dalam pembangunan IT ialah Brunei, New Zealand, Australia, Kemboja dan lain-lain. Menerusi MOA ini, SAINS akan membantu Wilayah Tengah PNG menerusi rakan saluran di negara itu untuk melakukan kajian pelan induk strategik bagi IT. “Kedua-dua pihak iaitu SAINS dan Kerajaan Wilayah Tengah Papua New Guinea amat gembira dengan kerjasama penuh bersejarah ini kerana ini adalah kali pertama kami mengadakan projek yang pasti akan berjaya. “Jika projek pertama ini berjaya, kami akan mencari peluang untuk menjalinkan aktiviti kerjasama yang lain pada masa akan datang,” ujarnya. Dalam pada itu MOA yang ditandatangani itu semalam akan dilaksanakan segera dalam beberapa bulan akan datang. Secara amnya, MOA ini akan meliputi mereka dari segi IT pada masa kini, di mana mereka mahu dari segi IT dan bagaimana untuk membolehkan mereka mencapai apa yang dimahukan dalam IT. Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/07/15/pembangunan-it-sarawak-diiktiraf/#ixzz384H6ynIA

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Sesco: Our policy, SOP to report meter tempering to police

KUCHING: Syarikat Sesco Berhad said it is the company’s policy and standard operating procedure to lodge a police report when meters and the wiring system are found tampered with. The company said a police report would be lodged on the same day the offence is found, and Sesco technicians were also required to report any threatening case or customer offering bribe in the police report for the police to investigate. “This is compulsory as meter tampering is a crime which is similar to other form of crimes. As such, police report is lodged for them investigate as well as for prosecution in court,” a Sesco spokesman said in a statement yesterday. The spokesman added that in the past few months, Sesco meter inspection teams had faced difficulties in carrying out their operations. There were also a few threatening incidents in Miri which included vandalizing of Sesco vehicles. All these incidents have been reported to police for investigation. “Police have taken up the case seriously and investigated in detail,” said the spokesman. “Sesco will continue to conduct meter inspection operations in the state as annual loss due to power theft is still huge amounting to RM60 million”. Apart from the financial loss, Sesco is also concerned about the safety of the tampered wiring as in many cases they have been found unsafe to the occupants and public. It can cause electrocution and even fire to the property. Sesco will continue to work with the Electrical Inspectorate Unit (EIU) of the Ministry of Public Utilities, the Police and other government agencies including the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) in combating power theft. Sesco reminded the public that stealing electricity is a serious offence that should not be taken lightly as it is a dangerous crime punishable under the Electricity Ordinance Section 33(5) which carries the penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment or a fine of RM 100,000 or both.     Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/16/sesco-our-policy-sop-to-report-meter-tempering-to-police/#ixzz3B4lfYgjd

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‘TM Phase 1 water on track for Halal Hub’

SIBU: The construction of the Tanjung Manis Water Supply Phase 1 is expected to be completed on schedule in November 2015.   Awang Tengah (second left) and others looking at a plan at the site of Tanjung Manis Water Supply Phase 1 at Sg Maaw. Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said construction which commenced November last year, was slightly behind schedule, by about one per cent. “However, with the increase in resources and hence productivity of the contractors undertaking the project, it is expected to be completed on schedule in November next year,” he told a press conference yesterday. Awang Tengah was on his official visit to the Tanjung Manis Water Supply Phase 1 at Sg Maaw yesterday. He said in line with the development of Tanjung Manis area, an ample water supply needs to be provided for the activities associated with the Halal Hub there. “The overall planning is to supply 250MLD (million litres/day) of raw water together with a 60MLD water treatment plant, but under Phase 1 of the project, only 125MLD of raw water is to be supplied, with a 30MLD water treatment plant,” he pointed out. The overall project cost (phase one alone) is about RM965 million. He said in view of the salinity of the water at Tanjung Manis, the raw water is sourced from Sibu at the Sg Maaw intake site, using the underground Riverbank Filtration System (RBF). RBF is a method of harvesting subsurface flow within the river bed as well as underground water discharge to the river. The raw water is naturally filtered by subsurface sand layer and collected by a radial collector well sunk to the designed depth at riverbank and subsequently pumped to the water treatment plant. “The benefits of RBF system include improve raw water quality, reduce water treatment cost, lower maintenance cost, no sedimentation problem and can be operated during low river flows,” he enthused. He said the RBF is widely adopted overseas, such as in Germany and Korea. In Malaysia, RBF intakes have been successfully constructed in Kelantan and Perak. “Upon the completion of this project, it will become the one single biggest RBF project in Malaysia,” he said. Meanwhile, the raw water collected is carried to Tg Manis via 1,600mm and 1,100mm mild steel polyurethane lined pipes, covering a distance of some 77km, with some 2.4km submarine mains crossing over seven rivers along the way. Other components of the Phase 1 project include two booster pumping stations, one water treatment plant, one raw water reservoir and treated water distribution mains at Tanjung Manis. Meanwhile, he said he had asked the contractor to study whether they could supply water to Pulau Bruit, Paloh and surrounding villages once completed.     Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/09/tm-phase-1-water-on-track-for-halal-hub/#ixzz3B4muR8Mm

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‘Water crisis averted by Gerugu Dam’

SARIKEI: The Gerugu Dam in Ulu Sarikei with a storage capacity of 13.9 million cubic metres did not only spare Sarikei from the water crisis during the recent dry spell but has excess for distribution to other divisions.   Awang Tengah (centre), Entri (left) Ubaidillah (right) on arrival at Bayong Water Treatment Plant. During a working visit to Bayong Water Treatment Plant here, Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said during the recent dry spell Gerugu Dam came to the rescue of Bayong reservoir when its water level dropped to below critical on June 26. He said raw water from Gerugu Dam was immediately relayed to Bayong Treatment Plant to ensure that supply of treated water there was not disrupted. He further assured that there would be sufficient supply of treated water in the division when extension to the Bayong Treatment Plant is completed by October next year. “With the production capacity of the new treatment plant costing RM97 million at 30 MLD, Sarikei should not encounter any treated water problem in many years to come,” he said. He also said there should be no problem even if the huge excess of water were to be distributed to Mukah Division through Tanjung Manis. In that respect, the Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment said the existing pipes to Tanjung Manis would be replaced with bigger ones. While the existing treatment plant also serves Julau, Sare and Selalang areas, the new treatment plant will serve Pakan area, he added. Among those present were Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entrie, Ministry of Public Utilities permanent secretary Ubaidillah Abdul Latip, Resident Dahim Nadot, divisional engineer Teo Nguong Leong, JKR Central Region project manager John Wong, district officer Khalid Andong and senior government officers.     Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/08/water-crisis-averted-by-gerugu-dam/#ixzz3B5R4vxtt

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PWD: Bengoh Dam to be completed next Oct

KUCHING: State Public Works Department (PWD) yesterday reaffirmed that the Bengoh Dam will be completed in October next year. It also said the project may be completed earlier if the weather permits. “The contractor has commenced work with reservoir cleaning in June 2014 where the scope of work for reservoir cleaning includes the boundary survey of reservoir shoreline and zoning, biomass cleaning and subsequently biomass disposal. “Bengoh Dam is expected to be completed in October 2015. However, the project will be completed earlier if the weather permits,” the department said through a press statement yesterday. It said the remaining works included reservoir clearing, pipe works in the draw- off towers, plugging of the diversion culverts, installation of stoplog gates, installation of M&E instrumentation and equipment and testing and commissioning. The department further said the present resolution of downtime or standby claims with the contractor was an ongoing process, where it will validate claims based on submitted documentation, explaining this has not deterred any commencement of remaining works by and as agreed with the contractor. It also clarified that the impoundment of the dam, which started construction in Aug 2007, could not be carried out then due to resettlement issue, forcing the project to be suspended in December 2011. “Upon finalisation of the resettlement issue, PWD had issued Notice of Commencement for Remaining Works in November 2013,” the statement said in clarifying the current status of the project. On Monday, Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan stated that the main cause of the delay in the impoundment of the Bengoh reservoir was the refusal of the affected villagers to move out. According to the department, the proposed dam with approximate storage of 144 million cubic metres and a catchment area of 127 km square is designed as a Regulating Dam which will regulate the Sg Sarawak Kiri flow to the Batu Kitang Water Treatment Plant. During normal conditions, when there is no requirement to release water from the dam, the water would be kept in the reservoir and will be released through the draw-off system in Sungai Sarawak Kiri during prolonged dry spells and when the water level at Batu Kitang intake is low. Based on the Sarawak Integrated Water Resource Management Master Plan Study (2009), the augmented safe yield for Sg Sarawak Kiri after the commissioning of the Bengoh Dam can meet the projected raw water requirement for Kuching areas including Asajaya/Sadong Jaya, Bau/Lundu/Sematan and Tapah/Beratok/Siburan up to 2050.     Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/08/06/pwd-bengoh-dam-to-be-completed-next-oct/#ixzz3B5USkI9p

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‘Hydropower better than other renewable sources of energy’

KUCHING: Micro hydropower is the better alternative to electricity from the grid for some longhouses in Julau due to their scattered populations. Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang also said having no access to power lines made micro hydropower the better option in this situation. He said using hydropower was also cheaper and better than using other renewable sources of energy including solar. “Aside from providing the remote longhouses with cheap 24-hour electricity, micro hydro dam also helps conserve the forest upstream,” he said Monday. Earlier, he launched the tagang system in Sungai Sugai at Rumah Anthony Bau, Ulu Mulok, Julau. He said the 1Malaysia Advisory Council had so far funded the construction of two micro hydropower dams in his constituency, which were already in full operation. The two dams are located at Rumah Michael Jantan, Nanga Bekatan and at Rumah Jawang, Bukit Sri. Salang, who is 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council chairman, said both dams were built through gotong-royong by the villagers themselves, under the supervision of Public Works Department. Each project required at least RM350,000 if build through gotong-royong, depending on the location and distance. The 10kw micro hydro dam at Rumah Michael is said to be benefitting about 200 residents. It is located about two-minute longboat ride from the longhouse and about 60km from Sibu. “On good and sunny days, the people enjoy 24-hour electricity while on rainy days they have to ration,” he said. Salang said micro hydropower, in fact, had great potential in Sarawak in view of its many rivers and streams in rugged terrains. On the request of the headman (Anthony Bau) for the government to build a micro hydropower dam in his village, Salang said he was prepared to discuss the matter with the village committee. “But first of all, you must identify the river where you want to build the dam. The river must have the potential to have this kind of sustainable energy,” he said. Micro hydropower is capable of producing electricity from 1kw to about 200kw. Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/09/10/hydropower-better-than-other-renewable-sources-of-energy/#ixzz3DXTOL8TU

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‘Congress ideal platform for water’s future’

LISBON, Portugal: Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan who is now in Lisbon participating in the five-day International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress at the Lisbon Convention Centre here describes the congress as an ideal platform where water professionals share knowledge, collaborate and develop partnerships to deliver solutions that will shape the future of water. Awang Tengah (second left) with Mohd Asfia (third left) and other members of the Sarawak delegation at the booth of an Austrian company, which is a leading pipe producer in the world, at the Lisbon Convention Centre. They were shown the world’s biggest pipe. Awang Tengah (second left) having a discussion with Wu Hongmei, CEO of Beijing Scinor Water Technology. Others seen are Mohd Asfia (behind Awg Tengah), Entrie (third right) and Kho (second right). “This is also an opportunity to connect with other water sector professionals and discuss current trends, latest research, guiding strategies and leading practices besides providing latest findings that allow participants to connect to new developments,” he said after attending one of the sessions.   What was also significant, he said, was that the congress provided insights and inspiration for cooperation and collaboration on research and practical applications with peers from the water sector.   The congress also witnessed several keynote speakers who presented their ideas and papers such as Jorge Moreira da Silva, Portugal’s Minister of Environment, Special Planning and Energy; Sue Murphy, CEO of Water Corporation of Western Australia who talked on ‘Transforming Utilities to Deliver Efficient and Sustainable Water Services’; Hans Rosling, professor of International Health Karolini Institute and chairman of Gapminder Foundation who delivered his paper on ‘Water as the Driving Force for Development and Health Benefits’.   Meanwhile, Awang Tengah who is also the Second Minister for Resource Planning and Environment and Minister for Industrial Development and his entourage was given a conducted tour to several booths set up by the participating countries yesterday afternoon.   The exhibition featured more than 200 booths set up by countries such as host country Portugal, Germany, China, Malaysia, Australia, United States of America, Ireland, Spain and Japan.   The booths displayed various latest technologies and innovations and best practices such as on operational management tools for water and wastewater utilities, water irrigation, operation on safety of drinking water, wastewater treatment, hydro pneumatic tanks for supply system and water irrigation, piping systems, fittings, filter media, rehabilitation of accessible and non-accessible pipes for all applications, hydro agriculture schemes and hydro power.   The Sarawak delegation comprised State Legislative Assembly speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nasar, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entrie Muran, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, director of budget from State Financial Secretary’s Office Datu Junaidi Reduan, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Public Utilities Ubaidillah Abdul Latip, managing director of G&P Professionals (Sarawak) Ir Kho Lip Khiong and others from the state water authority and water consultants. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/09/25/congress-ideal-platform-for-waters-future/#ixzz3Fc1s5mOz

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‘Lodge report if you hit electricity poles’

KUCHING:  Road users must lodge reports if they hit electricity poles as the accidents could disrupt power supply. Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) occupational health and safety senior manager Ngu Piew Choo said road users involved in accidents with power poles should take responsibility and not just have their vehicles towed without lodging a report. “During some road accidents, the vehicles may hit electricity poles and cut supply to those in the area. We have to fix it to restore electricity supply immediately to not affect users in the area,” she said after SEB’s road safety awareness campaign launching yesterday. The motorist responsible, she said, would have to sign a liability form and shoulder the repair costs. One hundred SEB staff attended the programme jointly organised with the Road Safety Department (JKJR) and Shell. SEB corporate risk and health, safety and environment general manager Marconi Madai said the programme was held out of concern for the road safety of staff and their family members. “We are not just a power provider, but we also focus on road safety and to do so we are educating our own people before going to do the same for the public. This is a starting point for SEB, and we care about our own people,” he said. “We want them to come to work in one piece and go home in one piece. According to Socso (Social Security Organisation), 70 per cent of claims made last year went to commuting accidents with RM1.6 billion payout in Malaysia.” Meanwhile, JKJR state director Rano Aylwino Akat said research showed there are four times more vehicles on the road seven days before and seven days after a festive season. With this high volume of traffic, he said, road users should take extra care during such times. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/10/28/%e2%80%98lodge-report-if-you-hit-electricity-poles%e2%80%99/#ixzz1dHYYEKJJ

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Be patient, villagers waiting for clean water supply told

MIRI:  Residents of Kampung Usahajaya, Batu 8 in Lambir are reminded to be patient while waiting to enjoy clean water supply in their area. Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang said the government is currently working out the best way to enable them to enjoy clean water supply. “We have discussed the matter with the Public Work Department (PWD) Miri as well as Laku Management,” he disclosed during a visit to the village yesterday. The visit was to survey the problems faced by the villagers which have been highlighted by some party through Facebook social network recently. Accompanying him was political secretary to the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Sebastian Ting and Miri District Officer Boniface Intang Apat. According to him, the water supply project for the village was drafted under the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP) which is in planning from 2013 to 2015. “But if possible, the project may be implemented as soon as possible once we refer this matter to the ministry involved,” he said adding the ministry in charge is Ministry of Rural and Regional Development. He also urged villagers there who do not have any water tank or cannot afford to have a water tank to apply for assistance through him. Meanwhile, Sebastian told reporters that the government is implementing development that is most needed first for the benefit of the villagers. “What we are doing today is implementing facilities that are priorities such as giving out water tanks to residents here,” he said. Before this, the village was implemented with road and electricity projects apart from 26 units of Rumah Mesra Rakyat. Village headman Ahmad Tujoh said a total of 535 land lots have been opened up in the village since 1996. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/10/27/be-patient-villagers-waiting-for-clean-water-supply-told/#ixzz1dHXqSeHG