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Background of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, Sarawak
Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Core Functions
The core functions of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication are as follows:
1. Policy formulation for water supply, electricity supply, gas distribution and telecommunication services;
2. Planning and Development of utility and telecommunication infrastructure projects and facilities;
3. Monitoring and enforcement of utility and telecommunication service performances;
4. Coordination of programs, initiatives, and activities of agencies under the Ministry:
Prior to 1 July 2004, the public utilities sector in Sarawak was under the portfolio of the Ministry of Finance, Sarawak . However, following a Sarawak Cabinet reshuffle on that year, utility-related functions were separated from the organisational structure of the State Financial Secretary’s Office. These functions were subsequently transferred to a newly established ministry known as the Ministry of Public Utilities, which was headed by a Permanent Secretary. At that time, the ministry was responsible for two main sectors, electricity supply and water supply.
In July 2016, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Utilities. This renaming was also accompanied by an expansion of the ministry’s scope, with the Gas Distribution placed under its purview.
Subsequently, in 2022, the ministry underwent another name change to become the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, reflecting the inclusion of telecommunication portfolios under its responsibilities.
At present, the ministry oversees four (4) core components within the state’s utility and telecommunication sectors, namely:
In July 2016, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Utilities. This renaming was also accompanied by an expansion of the ministry’s scope, with the Gas Distribution placed under its purview.
Subsequently, in 2022, the ministry underwent another name change to become the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, reflecting the inclusion of telecommunication portfolios under its responsibilities.
At present, the ministry oversees four (4) core components within the state’s utility and telecommunication sectors, namely:
- Water Supply
- Electricity Supply
- Gas Distribution
- Telecommunication
Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Core Functions
The core functions of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication are as follows:
1. Policy formulation for water supply, electricity supply, gas distribution and telecommunication services;
2. Planning and Development of utility and telecommunication infrastructure projects and facilities;
3. Monitoring and enforcement of utility and telecommunication service performances;
4. Coordination of programs, initiatives, and activities of agencies under the Ministry:
- Rural Water Supply Department
- Kuching Water Board
- Sibu Water Board
- Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd. (Previously known as LAKU Management Sdn. Bhd)
- Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB)
- Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS)
5. Watching brief over
- Sarawak Multimedia Authority, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Berhad, and Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission for telecommunication-related matters;
- Engaging with Federal Ministries and agencies on matters relating to water supply, electricity supply, gas distribution and telecommunication Services.
1. The ordinance and rules that regulate the water sector/industry under the purview of the Ministry are as follows:
- The Water Ordinance, 1994 (Cap 13);
- The Water Supply Regulations, 1995.
2. The ordinance and rules that regulate the Electricity Supply Industry under the purview of the Ministry are as follows:
- The Electricity Ordinance (Cap 50);
- The Electricity Rules, 1999;
- The Electricity (State Grid Code) Rules, 2003; and
- The Sarawak Electricity Supply (successor Company) Ordinance, 2004.
3. The ordinance and rules that regulate the gas distribution sector/industry under the purview of the Ministry are as follows:
- Distribution of Gas Ordinance, 2016 (Cap 72);
- Distribution of Gas (Licensing) Regulations, 2018.
