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Bengoh rural electrification enters second phase

KUCHING: The Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) for Bengoh is entering its second phase and residents whose houses have yet to be connected to the electricity supply can start to submit their applications. Dr Jerip (left) presents a grant to a recipient. Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, who is Bengoh assemblyman, said all villages in his constituency were already connected with electricity supply except for some new houses.   “As far as electricity supply is concerned we are fortunate because all areas are well covered and we are going to start the second phase, mainly to bring electricity to new houses.   “So those without power supply can now start applying through their respective headmen who will later submit their names to my office,” he said when distributing RM294,000 minor rural project (MRP) funds to some 40 organisations yesterday.   He said this was the third and final disbursement of MRP grants under him for this year and any request received after this would be carried forward to next year.   “The total MRP funds given out this year was close to RM1 million and they are usually given to village committees, organisations and voluntary bodies for them to carry out their activities.   “For this year, our emphasis had been on religious organisations and institutions because we noticed that many of the places of worship are already too old and dilapidated so they need to be repaired or upgraded,” he said.   Dr Jerip said as the MRP grants were inadequate to implement big projects, his office tried to distribute the funds available fairly among all villages.   “We want to make sure that every kampung receive some MRP grants and as such each of them will be receiving only a small amount.   “For bigger projects we will not be using the MRP funds but will apply for grants from the State Development Department,” he said. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/10/17/bengoh-rural-electrification-enters-second-phase/#ixzz3GvJdMZXP

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Foreign expertise needed to help state tap hydropower — Adenan

CHENGDU, China: The state government has much to learn from China in regards to the country’s experience and expertise in the fields of hydro dam engineering and construction. Adenan presenting Dongfang Corporation president Si (fifth right) with a memento while Jamilah (fourth left), Awang Tengah (left) and Masing (third right) look on. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said with Sarawak well-endowed with rivers, there is a need to tap its hydropower potential to generate electricity which is relatively cheap and renewable to run its industries.   “We have no experience in constructing hydro dams and we need foreign expertise to assist us,” he said during a welcoming dinner hosted by Dongfang Electric Corporation for him and his entourage in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China on Monday.   In his speech, he also expressed his regret that the construction of dams in the state had been made more difficult due to instigation, mainly from foreign-based non-governmental organisations (NGOs).   Adenan, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu, arrived in Chengdu on Monday for a two-day official visit where he was welcomed by Dongfan Electric Corporation officials and Kunming Consul Nasri Rahman upon his arrival at Chengdu International Airport.   He was later received by Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Land Development Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing at the hotel.   Adenan’s itinerary included a formal meeting with the company’s officials at its headquarters here before visiting its turbine and generator manufacturing plant yesterday.   Adenan and his entourage, which included Ministry of Public Utilities permanent secretary Ubaidullah Abdul Latip and Sarawak Energy Berhad chief executive officer Datuk Torstein Dale Sjoveit, also attended a banquet hosted by a Sichuan Province leader at a local restaurant.   Meanwhile, Awang Tengah and Masing yesterday visited the Zipingpu Hydropower Dam where they were briefed by officials on the operations of the dam which also provides water for irrigation and water supply for the population. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/10/15/foreign-expertise-needed-to-help-state-tap-hydropower-adenan/#ixzz3GvMf7vC5

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Govt serious in providing alternative water supply system to rural areas

THE government is serious in its desire to provide alternative water supply system to the rural areas where distribution of treated water supply is not possible. So far, 213 alternative water supply systems have been implemented under the NKRA programme consisting of 43 rainwater harvesting systems, 77 gravity-feed systems and 93 non-conventional water treatment systems. Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entri said this at the august house in response to Malcolm Mussen Lamoh’s (BN-Batang Ai) question yesterday. According to Entri, five projects on alternative water supply systems for Batang Ai had been forwarded to the Ministry of Rural and Region Development for consideration at an estimated cost of RM16,145,000 under the 11th Malaysia Plan. Paulus Palu Gumbang (Batu Danau) meanwhile asked Assistant Minister of Public Facilities (Electricity and Telecommunication) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi on Rural Electric Supply (RES) project. Dr Rundi said the project for Rh Mual, Kampung Ensungei was in implementation process. He said 89 per cent of the work had been done and was expected to be completed in January next year. As for RES project for Rh Lumbong, Kampung Entakong and Rh Jampong, Kampung Melaban, he said the ministry had yet to receive any record of application for this purpose. As such, the villagers are urged to forward their applications by filling up ‘MPU/RES/2.0’ forms to Public Utilities Ministry. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/11/13/govt-serious-in-providing-alternative-water-supply-system-to-rural-areas/#ixzz3JTKjFInw

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SWB: RM1 off water bill for first 3,000 online respondents

SIBU: The first 3,000 customers of Sibu Water Board  (SWB) who completed and submitted the online ‘Survey Form’ on or before Jan 8, 2015, will get a discount of RM1 in the following month’s water bill. According to the general manager of SWB, Daniel Wong, in a press statement, the online ‘Survey Form’ is aimed at getting feedback from customers on SWB value/service delivery, to help them meet their customers’ expectations. The head of corporate affairs and public relations of SWB, Ariffin Kahar, was also present at the press conference. “This new format of online questionnaire is different from the previous years because this was prepared by the Public Utilities Ministry and is supposed to be used by all water agencies in Sarawak,” he added. Daniel said the online survey period is two months, from Nov 8 this year to Jan 8 next year. He added that all information collected in this survey is strictly for the use of Water Supply Authorities and Public Utilities Ministry only. Daniel said, customers can provide their feedback at the SWB official website at www.swb.gov.my. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/11/09/swb-rm1-off-water-bill-for-first-3000-online-respondents/#ixzz3JTNEUwsl

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SEB: Miri blackout due to lightning strike

MIRI: The lightning that struck both circuits of the Similajau-Tudan transmission lines was deemed as the cause of the blackout here on Thursday night. The outage began at 9.55pm when lightning took out the circuits and caused the power trip, affecting the city, Lutong, Kuala Baram, Lambir, Marudi, Bekenu and Batu Niah. The technical team from Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) immediately worked on restoring power in stages, with the electricity supply resuming to normal about two hours later. SEB Northern Region manager Choo Min Chong said: “It is not common for the lightning to strike both circuits, but this was one of those rare cases.” “Our team worked very hard to restore power in the shortest time possible. We are very sorry for the inconvenience caused to the people in Miri,” he said in a press statement. Moreover, SEB chief operating officer Lu Yew Hung said the group was in the midst of reinforcing the electrical network slated for improving supply stability, reliability and boost capacity of power across this city and its surrounding areas. “The detailed plan for the network reinforcement spans for a period of five years, scheduled for completion by 2018. This will see a gradual improvement of Miri’s network system. ” SEB is investing over RM400mil for this purpose. Among the projects that will help strengthen the supply in Miri are the construction of Tudan 275kV substation with the installation of two 240MVA transformers; construction of new Lambir 275kV substation with two 120MVA transformers; and a planned construction of a new combined cycle gas power plant in Lutong with a capacity of 200MW. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/11/08/seb-miri-blackout-due-to-lightning-strike/#ixzz3JTwIP23U

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Clean water supply by 2013

MARUDI:  Dwellers of  longhouses along Poyut/Lubok Nibong Road will enjoy clean water by year 2013 with the completion of the laying of a pipeline from Marudi water treatment plant in 2012. Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau Jok said  presently some of his constituents obtained water for bathing and drinking from streams and the nearby monsoon drain during the dry spell. Dennis appealed to the Iban community and community leaders in his area to support the Barisan Nasional government, and ignore the lies of the opposition in rural areas. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of an Info Programme 1Malaysia Community at Rumah Randie, Sg Brit about 33 km from here yesterdaly. He said the BN government had upgraded the livelihood of the people of Baram by encouraging them to plant high-yielding rubber trees. He urged the people of Poyut/Lubok Nibong to unite for strength. Among those who spoke were Baram information chief Joseph James and TR Councillor Randi, chairman of Sg Brit Info Community 1 Malaysia. Present were Penghulu Changgai and 33 longhouse chiefs. At the function, Dennis performed the earthbreaking ceremony for Sg Brit’s the new multipurpose hall. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/11/29/clean-water-supply-by-2013/#ixzz1fuWItPFM

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SEB: Clearing, construction work for Baram Dam has not started

KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has not begun any clearing or construction works for the Baram HEP dam. The company will only begin construction of any hydroelectric project when soil investigation work has been done, comprehensive feasibility studies undertaken and Social and Environment Impact Assessment (SEIA) reports have been completed, and only after approvals have been obtained from the state government. “SEB’s ability to commence and complete the feasibility studies and SEIA reports to ensure community issues and points of view are taken into account have been disrupted by the ongoing protests,” said SEB in a press statement yesterday. “While we respect the right of individuals and organisations to express their point of view, it should be done in a manner that is lawful and does not place their safety or the safety of others at risk. The company abides by the requirements set by the state government to ensure the best outcome for all without compromising the future economic growth of the state in the best interest of its people, it said. The statement said the company’s SEIA study is guided by international standards to complete a ‘contemporary ethnography’ or snap shot of current life in the communities and also to ensure that the directly affected people are clear about the project and their concerns and aspirations are properly recorded and responded to. SEB also acknowledged the genuine NGOs and members of the Baram community who are sincere in their desire to secure an outcome that benefits the people of the area. The company had been actively engaging with stakeholders especially the community in Baram, and from feedback received through the community leaders and state representatives the people of Baram were willing to cooperate and provide input into the studies to ensure that their aspirations and concerns were taken into consideration. “SEB looks forward to working with them,” the statement added.

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Sarawak Energy shines at CMEA Awards 2014

KUCHING: Sarawak Energy strengthened its green credentials by coming tops as overall winner, as well as bagging three golds, at the 6th Sarawak Chief Minister’s Environmental Award (CMEA) 2014, capping off a year of accolades from external agencies. According to its press release, the company was named overall winner in the Large Industries Services Category – Telecommunication, Electricity Supply, Waste Disposal and Water Supply for its Sejingkat Power Corporation Sdn Bhd. This improves upon its previous performance when it won gold in the 2012 CMEA Award. Sarawak Energy also clinched two golds under the same category for its Bintulu Tanjung Kidurong Power Station and Mukah Power Generation. Another facility, the Batang Ai Hydro Power Station won gold in the Services and Other Sectors (Medium Industries Category). Commenting on the achievements, chief operating officer Lu Yew Hung said the awards were a welcome validation of Sarawak Energy’s environmental stewardship of its operations. “These prestigious awards recognise our efforts to incorporate sustainability in our operations, emphasising the proper management of both social and environmental issues.” This is aligned with Sarawak Energy’s vision for sustainable growth as we meet the region’s need for reliable and renewable energy, he added. The year has seen Sarawak Energy receiving multiple awards for business and corporate citizenship. The company was announced Utility of the Year- Malaysia in the Asian Power Awards 2014 held in September for its continuous efforts in enhancing and driving the development of clean and renewable energy in Sarawak and for the company’s massive transformation journey. At the same event, chief executive officer Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit was also awarded CEO of the Year for his leadership in transforming the state-owned utility company into a modern and agile corporation ready for its vital role in powering Sarawak’s development through the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE). In April, Torstein also received the outstanding Entrepreneurship Award in the Oil & Gas, Mining and Energy category at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) BIMP-EAGA 2014. Also in September, Sarawak Energy was recognised for its efforts in corporate social responsibility, picking up the coveted ‘CSR Excellence Award’ at the Sin Chew Business Excellence Awards. The CMEA is the premier environmental award for small, medium and large enterprise industries as well as government agencies and the media in the state. It is organised jointly by Natural Resources Environment Board (NREB) and the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), together with other relevant agencies. It aims to encourage good stewardship in environmental protection and management in Sarawak. The awards were presented by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at the CMEA dinner which was held recently in conjunction with NREB Sarawak’s 20th Anniversary. At the awards ceremony, senior vice-president for Thermal James Ung and Sejingkat Station manager Daniel Sahari received the award for Sejingkat Power Corporation. For Bintulu Tanjung Kidurong Power Station and Mukah Power Generation, the awards were received by operation manager Wan Malek Wan Ridzuan and Station manager Muhammad Abdullah Ali respectively. Polycarp HF Wong, vice-president for Hydro, Marconi Madai, general manager for Corporate Risk and HSE, Encharang Ngtingih, Batang Ai Station manager, received the honour for Batang Ai Hydro Power Station. For Sejingkat Power Corp’s win, the first stage of assessment involved a written submission involving a series of questionnaires. A panel also assessed five areas of processes, namely Organisational Environmental Policy, Environmental Planning- Objectives and Target as well as Environmental Management Action Plan, Implementation of Environmental Management System, the Measurement and Monitoring of Environmental Activities and the Environmental Management Review. Shortlisted candidates then went on to the second stage of assessment which comprise of an audit conducted by Acting assistant controller for Planning and Development Section, Tang Hung Huong. The objective for this was to verify the accuracy of the written submission as well as site inspections. For Batang Ai Hydro Power Station, the assessment by NREB was conducted in two stages — assessment on documentation followed by a site inspection on Nov 6. by Irene C, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on December 27, 2014, Saturday

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More areas to get 24-hour electricity

KUCHING: More areas in Sarawak will have 24-hour electricity coverage this year. Minister of Utilities Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom in revealing this said the state plans to extend 24-hour electricity coverage to another 72 areas in 2017. He said last year, some 58 areas had received 24-hour electricity supply. “We will use the Blue Ocean Strategy to expedite the connection to rural areas in terms of 24-hour electricity and clean water supply. “We will continue to take alternative approaches to provide electricity as well as alternative clean water supply that can stand alone,” he told reporters after officiating at the presentation ceremony of Desa Perdana Award at the Old State Legislative Assembly Complex Hall here yesterday. The Desa Perdana Award was organised by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development. Dr Rundi said the alternative approaches were to ensure that people who live beyond the reticulation and power grid could have 24-hour water and electricity supply. “We hope the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development will support us so that we can expedite connecting the rural people in Sarawak with these basic facilities,” he said. Earlier in his speech, Dr Rundi said the state had set a target of achieving 100 per cent electrification by 2025. Currently, the state electrification coverage is around 87 per cent. On another matter, Dr Rundi said the state government had looked into ways of how to qualify someone to be the Tuai Rumah or Ketua Kampung in the state. He said the cabinet had agreed that the Residents were to coordinate the appointment of all Tuai Rumah and Ketua Kampung. “With that I think the Resident will call and give them the proper criteria for the appointment of the Tuai Rumah and Ketua Kaum,” he said. Also present at the press conference was Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and Assistant Minister of Community Well Being Datuk Francis Harden Hollis.

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216 rural water supply projects completed

TO date, 216 rural water supply projects (BALB) under National Key Result Areas (NKRA) programmes for rural water supply (2010-2012) have been completed and another 261 are at various stages of implementation. Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, in his winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly yesterday, revealed that under the programme it was expected that about 89,000 households would benefit from the projects. He also said by the end of this year, the number of beneficiaries would be around 13,000 households, increasing to 50,000 next year and 89,000 households in 2013. “The state is allocated some RM1.61 billion to implement the BALB (Projek Bekalan Air Luar Bandar) under the NKRA programmes involving a total of 477 projects,” he said. The Second Resource Planning and Environment Minister also disclosed that the government would implement another 30 water supply projects at a cost of RM109.75 million under a special fund. “To date, 24 projects have been completed while six projects are at various stages of implementation,” he continued. Touching on water supply in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) area, Awang Tengah said the development of Phase I Stage I water supply works to coverSamalajuIndustrial Park,SamalajuNewTownshipand nearby villages such as Kampung Kuala Nyalau, Nyalau Tengah, and Ulu Nyalau in Bintulu Division had been completed. In order to meet the increasing water demand in SamalajuIndustrial Park, he said the government was also implementing Phase I Stage II of the project which involved the construction of an 80-megalitre-per-day treatment plant, a five-megalitre high rise tank and associated facilities. Awarded in October this year, he said the project is scheduled for completion by April 2013. Awang Tengah also highlighted the need to develop a new raw water source in Samalaju in addition to the existing raw water supply from Sika Reservoir to ensure adequate and reliable water supply to meet requirements of the various industries. “With regard to the long term supply of water in Tanjung Manis and the surrounding areas, a feasibility study shall be carried out to obtain raw water supply from Batang Rajang,” he added. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/11/22/216-rural-water-supply-projects-completed/#ixzz1fuVcOAEX