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More villages to get water supply this year

JULAU:  More villages and longhouses in the state will get their water supply this year under the Rural Water Supply (BALB) project using the Gravity Water Feed System (AGB) alternative.   State’s Minerals and Geo Science Department director Alex Unya Ambun said a sum of RM14.43 million had been allocated to the department to execute 93 BALB projects in Sarawak this year. Last year, he said the department was given RM6.33 million to implement 45 of such projects statewide.   “In 2006 to 2007, we used RM1.25 million to build and upgrade AGB in 20 villages and longhouses in the state.   “In 2009 and 2010, we received RM9.34 million under the RM1 Billion Special Allocation for Sarawak to carry out 54 BALB projects.   “We hope AGB can help to solve water supply problem in rural areas where there is no reticulation system,” he said at the launching of the system at Rumah Michael Jantan in Nanga Bekatan, about two hours’ longboat ride from here, on Saturday. Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Culture, who is also Julau MP, Datuk Joseph Salang officiated at the function.   Alex explained the system used water source from streams in hilly or areas higher than the longhouse.   “It involves the construction of water catchment area, installation of High Density Polyethylene pipes and water taps,” he said, adding that most of the projects were built on a ‘gotong-royong’ basis by the longhouse residents and staff of the department.   For Julau, he said the department planned to carry out AGB in eight longhouses and the projects would cost RM650,000.   Another 21 applications estimated to cost RM3.6 million had also been submitted to the department, he said.   “From 2007 to last year, we spent RM2.038 million to implement AGB in 34 longhouses in Julau,” he said.   He later advised the people to boil the water before consumption, as it was not from a treated source.   Also present was Alex’s deputy Dr Richard Mani. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/09/more-villages-to-get-water-supply-this-year/#ixzz1sMHSPU4A

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State to use new technology to stop water pilfering

KUCHING: The state will adopt new technologies to further reduce its non-revenue water (NRW) to 20 per cent of the daily water production by 2015.   Assistant Public Utilities (Water Supply) Minister Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran said the present average NRW for the whole state was about 26 per cent and although it was very much below the national NRW of around 36 per cent the state government would try its best to achieve the 20 per cent target.   “It is going to be a very tough task but to ensure that everyone can enjoy reliable water supply we have to try our very best by adopting certain new technologies which can help us reduce our NRW.   “Applying intelligent smart pump controller is one of them. Of course there are other technologies that can be introduced apart from making sure that our pipes are properly installed to prevent water wastage,” he added.   Speaking to reporters after witnessing the presentation ceremony of the Pump Appreciation Day 2012 Global Award at Wisma Sumber Alam in Petrajaya yesterday, Entri said to successfully reduce the state’s NRW a holistic approach had to be worked out, including the enforcement aspect.   Saying the state’s NRW was mainly due to old pipelines, he cited meter tampering and illegal water connection as other contributing factors.   Although he could not provide any figure offhand he said incidences of meter tampering and illegal water tapping which mainly happened at construction sites were not very serious.   Nevertheless, he said, in order to find the most effective method to reduce the state’s NRW, the government was planning to bring all water suppliers and relevant bodies for a retreat in Sibu very soon.   “We are trying to get all the engineers to discuss what are the best technologies, methodologies or measures to be taken by not only water boards but also JKR (Public Works Department) for the reduction of our NRW,” he disclosed.   He said that at the moment only Sibu Water Board (SWB) was using the smart pump water supply system, which had proven to be very effective.   For this, he said, SWB rightfully deserved to receive the award.   The event was also attended by SWB chairman UbaidillahAbdul Latip, SWB general manager Daniel Wong Park Ing, ITT Corporation Asia Pacific vice president Bill Newman and Group Engineers Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Kuek Eng Mong. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/04/11/state-to-use-new-technology-to-stop-water-pilfering/#ixzz1sMGd6hRB

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218 water supply projects approved under 11MP – Awg Tengah

A TOTAL of 218 water supply projects have been approved with an initial provision of RM3.54 billion ceiling under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP). Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said these 218 projects were from the 795 proposed under the 11MP. They are set to benefit an additional 79,130 households in the state. “My ministry will strive to implement all the approved projects successfully and pursue with the application of more funds in the mid-term review of the 11MP,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday. Awang Tengah told the august House that the state had increased the coverage of treated water supply to 80 per cent from 68 per cent at the start of the 10th Malaysia Plan (10MP). He conceded the cost to extend water supply deeper into the rural areas had increased tremendously because some areas were so remote they could not be connected to any major regional supply networks. Alternative systems had been implemented for some remote areas and such efforts would continue in order to benefit more rural folks. On specific issues, Awang Tengah said water supply projects would be implemented in several areas, including Daro, Jemoreng, Bawang Tian, Engkilili, Kidurong, Selangau, Tatau and Tamin, Bukit Kota, Krian, Lingga, Pantai Damai and Semop. Among the works was constructing water pipes in these areas to connect villagers to the respective water supply networks, he added. To immediately resolve the water supply problem at SMK Senibong in Opar, he said Kuching Water Board and Rural Water Supply Department were working closely to ensure sufficient water from Matang Treatment Plant feed the Sempadi Booster Station. He added that several projects would be carried out to ensure a more reliable water supply from Batu Kitang Treatment Plant to Bau-Lundu-Sematan areas, including SMK Senibong. “We will have a dedicated 8km pipeline from Reservoir No.2 to Siburan junction, a 5.5km pipeline from Stenggang Reservoir to the starting point of the Batang Kayan project to supply Lundu-Sematan-Biawak areas, and implement non-Revenue Water Management in Bau area.” To address interconnection between Kuching and Sebangan, Sebuyau and other coastal settlements, Awang Tengah said the work scope had been included in the proposed Samarahan Coastal Regional Water Supply Project. “This will be implemented in the 11MP, with an estimated cost of RM200 million.”

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‘MCMC invested RM1.5b on telco infrastructure in state since 2008’

MALAYSIAN Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) invested RM1.5 billion in upgrading telecommunication (telco) infrastructure in Sarawak between 2008 and this year. Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the investment included erecting 203 telco towers to provide cellular coverage in the rural areas and 149 telco towers that were still in the works. Delivering his winding-up speech yesterday, he said the government was aware of the problems faced by WiFi Community projects in Jemoreng, Pantai Damai, Beting Maro, Ngemah and Semop. “For the time being, 761 WiFi Community projects have been implemented in Sarawak, but a lot of them are not functioning. The state government has requested MCMC to either reactivate or upgrade the existing WiFi Community services.” Awang Tengah also noted that 124 completed telco towers were not in operation. “This is the problem faced by the service provider. We have requested MCMC to take immediate action so that all telco towers operate as expected.” On broadband services, he said Sarawak enjoyed 78.3 per cent coverage in rural areas and this was expected to increase in the future. He added that cellular coverage penetration in populated areas was 85 per cent, up to the second quarter of this year.

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RM2.5 bln for RES since 2010 – Awang Tengah

A SUM of RM2.5 billion has been granted by the federal government for supplying electricity under the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) in Sarawak since 2010. Through the allocation, 1,280 projects had been approved to enable some 69,000 households to enjoy power supply, Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan told the State Legislative Assembly yesterday. “Up to now, a total of 1,204 projects have been completed which benefited about 58,000 households, while 76 other projects are being implemented,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday. And for next year, RM360 million had been set aside for various RES projects through the grid system, while RM200 million had been approved for alternative systems, he added. The minister welcomed suggestions by Abdullah Saidol (BN-Semop) and Dr Johnical Rayong Ngipa (BN-Engkilili) that the appointment of contractors for rural electrification projects be decentralised, saying the state government would pursue the matter with Putrajaya. “Under the current arrangement, the contractors are appointed by the federal government. State government, through the Ministry of Public Utilities and SEB (Sarawak Energy Bhd) only assist in the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the projects. He admitted that such arrangement had caused several problems in managing non-performing contractors. On electricity supply, he said the state’s present committed demand was 3,299MW and the grid’s firm generation capacity was 3,544MW. He pointed out that several projects had been implemented this year to meet the increasing demand for power supply in tandem with Sarawak’s economic growth. “We have connected 532,505 households out of the 586,000 households with electricity supply as of Nov 30 this year. We have also enhanced the grid security and further improved the reliability of power supply through the on-going 500kV Transmission Line backbone project scheduled for completion in 2016.” He said the reduction of electricity tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial consumers had benefitted many people throughout the state, pointing out that the tariffs were the lowest in Malaysia and amongst the lowest in Asean. “The state will continue to harness her abundant indigenous natural resources in water, gas, coal and also small renewable sources such as biomass, solar or biogas for power generation to meet the increasing demand.

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Delegates urged to help state increase treated water coverage

KUCHING: Delegates at the Water and Wastewater Exhibition (BWWE) and Conference 2015 are urged to brainstorm for solutions to help the state increase its treated water coverage. Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment cum Minister of Public Utilities Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the state was facing challenges in providing treated water to the people due to its geographical conditions. “It is the desire of the state government to increase treated water coverage but due to geographical factors, it is very difficult to extend treated water supply to remote and scattered areas that are impossible to be connected to the nearest municipal water supply systems. “In order to mitigate, the government has embarked on several alternative water supply systems, like modular package plants, rain harvesting system, gravity feed systems and underground water for these areas. “I would like the participants in this conference to further explore appropriate technologies and cost effective solutions to enable water supply to be extended to these areas,” he said at the opening of BWWE and Conference 2015 at Borneo Convention Center Kuching yesterday. He added that in order to protect and manage the state’s water resources, over four million hectares of catchment had been gazetted over the years, with several more catchments in the pipeline for possible gazetting. Through the efforts of the government, the coverage of treated water supply had increase to 80 per cent from 68 per cent at the beginning of the 10th Malaysia Plan. Besides the existing water supply authorities, a new entity—Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department—had been formed to take over the role and functions of the Water Branch in the Public Works Department. It is tasked to plan, implement and manage the water supply in the remaining rural areas in the state, effective Sept 1 this year. As water is a vital resource, there is an important and urgent need for effective and efficient management of water, and that today’s natural environment is faced with a variety of pressures and threats impacting water resources and drinking water. Thus, there is an urgent need for policy and decision makers, environmentalists, scientists, engineers and technocrats, and the business community to come together to revisit and tackle the issues to ensure long term sustainability for the sake of our future. “Water is required to sustain life and critical towards the progress and well-being of the human race and environment. I am sure you would also agree that BWWE 2015 will provide a good opportunity and platform for the discussion, consideration and sharing of experience on how to address the problems, issues, concerns and challenges besetting the Water and Wastewater Sector in today’s world.” In cognizance with the proclamation of the International Decate for Action ‘Water for Life’ 2005-2015 by the United Nations general Assembly in December 2003, he was confident the participants who are experts in various relevant fields in the conference would deliberate to address many of the pressing issues, concerns and challenges in the Water and Wastewater Sector faced by the world as well as Malaysia. The event, themed ‘Our Water Resources: Manage, Safeguard, Conserve’, runs until tomorrow. Also present were Malaysia Water Association vice president Mohmad Asari Daud and Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water’s director-general Noor Azahari Zainal Abidin.

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Exhibition to help address water issues

KUCHING: The on-going Borneo Water and Wastewater Exhibition (BWWE) 2015 will help to address issues related to water resources in the state. When welcoming the delegates during a dinner on Monday, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said it is very important for everyone to work together to handle the global phenomenon of water crises due to climate change. “I hope that there will be practical solutions arising from the discussions and conference in order to face the challenges in water and water waste development,” he said. During the event, Awang Tengah presented the Sarawak Water Industry Award 2015 to Water Engineering Technology Sdn Bhd. The three-day event themed ‘Our Water Resources: Manage, Safeguard, Conserve’ will end today (Dec 16). BWWE is held in conjunction with the 28th annual meeting of the Malaysian District Water Engineers Committee (JTJAD). It is jointly organised by the Malaysian Water Association (MWA) and JTJAD.

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Baram dam project halted indefinitely

KUCHING: The state will not proceed with the building of the Baram hydroelectric dam until further notice, amid constant protests and blockades by anti-dam protesters. In announcing this, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the government will now focus on building the Baleh dam instead. He pointed out that the state had decided to halt the project to respect the views of the local community who opposed the construction. Over the years, the Baram dam project had received much flak as anti-dam protesters erected blockades and held numerous media campaigns. “There have been many protests and blockades by the people who voiced their disagreement to the building of the Baram dam. If you don’t want the dam, fine. We will respect your decision. I hope you understand the impact for refusing it, as you will be missing out on related projects which are beneficial, such as roads and other necessities. “One day, you will find that not building the dam has given some disadvantage and as a result of this, you suffer. That is in your own hand. It is your decision,” Adenan said in his speech at the Public Service Day 2015 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday. Some 7,500 civil servants attended the event which was also held in conjunction with the presentation of the Chief Minister’s Award – a recognition under the ambit of the State Civil Service Quality Award. In June, anti-dam group led by Sarawak SAVE Rivers Network chairman Peter Kallang met with Adenan to discuss the matter, where the latter agreed on a moratorium pending a final decision. Adenan had put on hold plans to build the 1,000MW hydroelectric dam to give the state some time to go through studies by international dam and environment experts. The Baram dam has evoked strong opposition from local communities who had erected barricades to stop surveyors and road builders accessing the site. The chief minister had initially approved plans by Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) to proceed with the construction of the Baram dam and 1,200MW Baleh dam, scheduled to begin as soon as December. In 2013, some 300 indigenous people protested outside the International Hydropower Association World Congress at the BCCK in regards to the building of dams in the state. Apart from the Murum hydroelectric dam that was completed last year, the state also has the Bakun dam and the Batang Ai dam that was built 30 years ago.

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Green energy from oil palm mill

MUKAH: The state will have its first grid-connected renewable energy biomass power plant soon with the construction of the RM120-million Mukah Biomass Power Plant. The project carried out by Olive Energy Sdn Bhd is expected to start early next year, with the targetted date of operation on Sept 1, 2017. Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem said the transition of the renewable energy plant into the grid was based on willing-buyer and willing-seller basis. The project involved the development of 12.1 megawatts biomass electricity generation plant in Mukah, and 10 megawatts of the generated electricity would be exported to the grid at 21 sen per kilowatt. Speaking at the launching ceremony at Kingwood Resort, Mukah yesterday, Adenan said though the power plant was relatively small in size, it was a great start. “It is good for the palm oil industry as it helps make the industry more sustainable. “This sustainable practice will definitely help raise our credential in the international arena and create a platform for the Malaysian Palm Oil Industry to counter lobbyists who have painted such a bleak and an imbalanced report of our industry,” he said. To date, he added, the state had issued 14 power generation licences to companies producing electricity from biomass for own use. Upon completion, he said the companies would have the capacity to produce 135 megawatts of power. He lamented that currently less than five per cent of the wastes produced were recycled by the various mills around Sarawak. “If we were to look at the statistics on palm wastes, we can see that there is opportunity to produce an impressive 300 megawatts of electricity,” he pointed out. He also said carbon emissions could be reduced by 1.8 million tonnes annually. “Sarawak is neither blind nor deaf to the importance of developing renewable and sustainable energy,” he said, adding that many renewable energy resources in the state remain untapped at the moment. He also said the advantage of having biomass power plant was not limited to generation of green energy but to create jobs for graduates and skilled workers. “I understand that Olive Energy will create about 40 direct employments through this plant. If more biomass power plants are established, it means more job opportunities for our people,” he reiterated. He said the plant could also be the place providing technical facilities where more steam engineers, boiler operators, mechanical and electrical technicians can be trained and retrained. And with cheap energy, the state would be able to attract more foreign investments, he added. He expressed confidence that advancement in technology would enable greater exploration of biomass potential such as higher value added products, thereby maximising the potential of biomass to the state’s economy. “Various financing schemes are available to improve the attractiveness of investment in renewable energy and green technology,” he said. He hoped the success of this first project would encourage more palm oil mill owners to be part of Green Renewable Energy initiative. “I am confident that with the right approach and smart partnership, we can collaborate to achieve our vision to become a developed state by 2020 by capitalising on the natural resources available in the state without compromising the environment,” he enthused. According to the chairman of Olive Energy Sdn Bhd, Dato Sri Dr Albert Hong, the power plant is the first of its kind in the world that converts palm oil waste to electricity using high tech Conversion Technology. “For 90 tons per hour, it is equivalent to the reduction of 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission per annum,” he pointed out. His text of speech was read by chief operating officer (CEO) of Olive Energy Sdn Bhd Sylvester Wong. According to him, in 2014 Sarawak produced about 3.5 million tons of crude palm oil (CPO) and processed about 17 million tons of fresh fruit bunches (FFB). He said 40 per cent or about seven million tons were turned into biomass palm residues which would emit harmful greenhouse gases if left in the open field. “It would then lead to depletion of the ozone layer and pollute the river system. If incinerated, it would result in air pollution,” he said. Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Promotion of Technical Education) Datu Len Talif Salleh, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunication) Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi and Balingian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo attended the function. Meanwhile, at the event, Adenan presented land titles to 221 people from Kampung Pangkalan Feri Lama, Bedanga, Kampung Tutus Ulu, Kampung Tega and Kampung Sau; temporary occupation licences (TOL) to 80 recipients from Kampung Teh, Mukah and presented indigenous communal reserve titles.

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Pengurusan air di Sarawak bakal diuruskan sebuah badan berstatus korporat

  BERCAKAP... Julaihi menjawab soalan daripada pemberita. Photo Hakeem Well KUCHING : Pengurusan bekalan air di Sarawak bakal diuruskan oleh sebuah badan berstatus korporat di bawah Lembaga Air Sarawak (SWA), kata Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi, Datuk Julaihi Narawi. Menurutnya, usaha tersebut bagi memastikan kelestarian sumber air sekali gus  mengukuhkan kecekapan agensi-agensi bekalan air di Sarawak menerusi penubuhan satu entiti bekalan air bersepadu di negeri ini. Katanya, penubuhan badan berstatus korporat dan satu entiti bekalan air bersepadu tersebut dijangka dapat direalisasikan dalam tempoh dua tahun akan datang. “Penubuhan satu entiti bekalan air Sarawak dan badan korporat ini begitu penting kerana apabila bercakap mengenai satu entiti dari segi pihak yang mengendalikan pengurusan dan bekalan air, ia melibatkan hampir 4,000 jurutera pegawai dan kakitangan yang terlibat. RAKAM KENANGAN… Julaihi (tengah) merakam kenangan bersama peserta bengkel. Photo Hakeem Well. “Disebabkan itu kami menganggapnya sebagai latihan yang sangat besar (massive exercise) dan kita perlu meneliti dan berhati-hati mendapatkan maklumat daripada semua pihak,” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita ketika ditemui selepas menyempurnakan Majlis Penutupan Bengkel Satu Entit Bekalan Air di Sarawak dan Lembaga Air Sarawak (SWA) Sebagai Badan korporat di Hotel Raia di sini, hari ini. Mengulas lanjut, Julaihi berkata semua maklumat turut dikumpul menerusi Bengkel Satu Entiti Bekalan Air di Sarawak dan Lembaga Air Sarawak (SWA) Sebagai Badan korporat yang diadakan selama tiga hari bermula 13 Mac lepas. Katanya, menerusi penyertaan lebih 100 peserta melibatkan 25 agensi berkaitan, maklumat dapat dikemaskini supaya penubuhan satu entiti dan badan korporat itu tidak akan menimbulkan rungutan dan masalah pada masa akan datang. “Selain itu, Jawatankuasa Pemandu dan Jawatankuasa Teknikal juga telah mengadakan lawatan penandaarasan ke beberapa syarikat bekalan air seperti di Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan Sdn Bhd (SAINS) dan Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN). “Ini merupakan langkah awal yang dilakukan dan kita akan mendapat semua maklumat-maklumat berkaitan dalam usaha menubuhkan satu entiti dan satu badan koprat  pengurusan bekalan air di Sarawak,” katanya. Pada masa sama, beliau yakin usaha penubuhan satu entiti bekalan air Sarawak dan satu badan korporat di bawah SWA tersebut mampu dicapai mengikuti sasaran iaitu dalam jangka masa dua tahun.