PRESS RELEASE ON WATER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION AT JALAN CANNA, KUCHING

Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi merakam gambar kenangan bersama peserta larian sebelum menyempurnakan upacara pelepasan. Foto TVS   KUCHING, 8 Dis: Penggabungan tiga agensi utiliti bekalan air iaitu Lembaga Air Kuching (LAK), Lembaga Air Sibu (LAS) dan Lembaga Air Kawasan Utara (LAKU) dijangka berlaku pada penghujung Febuari 2025. Timbalan Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi (Utiliti) Sarawak, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi berkata, penggabungan itu diyakini akan meningkatkan kecekapan pengurusan dan pentadbiran ketiga-tiga agensi tersebut dalam memberikan perkhidmatan air berkualiti kepada penduduk di seluruh Wilayah Sarawak. Menurutnya, sebelum ini terdapat agensi utiliti yang digabungkan dan berjaya mempamerkan kecekapan dalam menyalurkan perkhidmatan kepada rakyat Sarawak. “Kita bercadang untuk mengabungkan (tiga agensi) hampir setahun yang lalu memandangkan kita perlu meningkatkan dari kualiti bekalan air ke seluruh Sarawak (dan) hari ini, Kerajaan Sarawak telahpun mampu membiayai dan meningkatkan pembinaan infrastruktur bekalan air yang telah dan sedang diusahakan di seluruh Sarawak. “Bagi memastikan perkhidmatan bekalan air dapat diperkemaskan, kita hanya memerlukan satu sahaja entiti dalam menjalankan perkhidmatan itu di seluruh negeri. “Beberapa agensi lain saya rasa telah pun digabungkan sebelum ini dan mereka menunjukkan bahawa satu entiti ini dapat meningkatkan dari segi kebaikan serta kualiti bekalan dan perkhidmatan utiliti di Sarawak,” ujarnya. Dr Abdul Rahman berkata demikian kepada TVS ketika ditemui selepas Larian Lembaga Air Kuching bersempena 65 tahun penubuhan agensi tersebut pada Ahad. Menyentuh mengenai larian itu, Dr Abdul Rahman menjelaskan, larian itu adalah yang terakhir bagi LAK yang mana ia akan diganti dengan rogram Pencarian Harta Karun selepas gabungan tiga agensi terbabit tahun hadapan. Hadir sama di acara larian tersebut, Pengurus Besar LAK, Rodziah Mohamad-TVS

Rodziah Mohamad ketika menyampaikan ucapan. Foto TVS   KUCHING, 8 Dis: Larian Lembaga Air Kuching (LAK) bersempena ulangtahun ke-65 penubuhan mendapat penyertaan mengalakkan dengan 550 peserta melibatkan warga kerja LAK, kumpulan kelab larian dan penduduk terlibat. Ia kembali diadakan selepas kali terakhir dilangsungkan pada 2016 selain merupakan yang terakhir sebelum penggabungan LAK, Lembaga Air Sibu (LAS) dan Lembaga Air Kawasan Utara (LAKU). Pengurus besar LAK, Rodziah Mohamad berkata, objektif utama larian adalah untuk mengumpulkan pelari dan penduduk Kuching selain sebagai tanda penghargaan kepada pelanggan yang menggunakan perkhidmatan LAK sepanjang penubuhannya. “Acara ini diadakan untuk menghimpunkan orang ramai, itu tujuan utamanya. Kita jemput secara langsung atau tidak langsung dan berkait rapat dengan LAK. “Dengan erti kata lain, acara ini adalah sebagai tanda terima kasih kerana apabila orang ramai datang ke LAK, kita tidak berpeluang beramah mesra dengan mereka. “Inilah masanya di mana kita berkumpul dan berkongsi maklumat dengan orang ramai dan warga kerja LAK, ” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian kepada TVS ketika ditemui pada larian tersebut pada Ahad. Larian tersebut terbahagi kepada dua iaitu tujuh dan empat kilometer dengan menawarkan hadiah wang tunai kepada pemenang pertama hingga kelima dan saguhati kepada peserta yang menamatkan larian. Kategori tujuh kilometer menyaksikan pelajar Tingkatan 5 SMK Padungan, Muhamad Amirul Mohammad muncul juara. Timbalan Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi (Utiliti) Sarawak Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi hadir menyempurnakan upacara pelepasan.-TVS

KUCHING: The Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme for focus areas involving 304 projects is now in its final phase. Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunications (MUT), Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said that of the total, 269 projects or 88 percent have been completed, 27 projects are under construction, while the remaining eight projects are in the pre-contract stage and will commence next year. According to him, the main project that has been completed is the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project in Batu Kitang, from 764 million litres per day (MLD) to 868 MLD at a cost of RM107.2 million. "Next, the Water Supply Project which includes pipe installation works, construction of high-level water tanks and booster pump stations from Kota Samarahan to Sebuyau including Tambirat, Moyan, Asajaya, Semera, Sadong Jaya, Sungai Buloh, Sungai Ladong, Sebangan and Tebelu at a cost of RM370.3 million. "Other projects that have been completed are the New Water Pipeline Installation Project from Bulat Junction to Temadak Storage Tank at a cost of RM26.6 million, the Project to Build a New Water Treatment Plant in Trusan, Lawas with a capacity of 20 JLH at a cost of RM33.3 million, the Water Supply System Rehabilitation Project in Matu and Igan, Mukah at a cost of RM65.3 million and the Water Supply Project for the Sare Area, Sarikei at a cost of RM9.9 million," he explained. The Sebuyau Assemblyman said this when winding up the debate for his ministry in the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly Sitting on Monday. Meanwhile, he also announced a list of major projects currently under construction, including the Lubau Water Treatment Plant, Betong Upgrade Project from 30 JLH to 60 JLH with a project cost of RM168.5 million, the Tinjar Area Water Supply Project Phase 2 (Package 1 and Package 2) with a cost of RM74 million, the Water Supply Project along Jalan Bakun from Labang to Tubau, Bintulu (Package 1 and Package 2) with a project cost of RM151.6 million and the Miri Water Supply Resource Development Project (Phase 2) with a cost of RM263.9 million. He said this included the Water Supply Project from Salim Water Treatment Plant to Kanowit with a cost of RM81.1 million as well as the Water Supply Project to Ulu Rimbas and the Improvement of Water Supply to Spaoh with a project cost of RM26.6 million. Dato Sri Julaihi added that the projects expected to be completed by the end of this year involve the Upgrading of the Bayong Water Treatment Plant, Sarikei from 70 JLH to 100 JLH at a cost of RM68.6 million, the Clean Water Connection to Sungai Teniku, Miri at a cost of RM6.9 million and the Pulau Bruit Water Supply System at a cost of RM84.4 million. For the record, the Sarawak Government has allocated RM4 billion under alternative financing since 2018, to implement the programme. To date, water supply coverage throughout Sarawak is 85.4 percent and coverage in rural areas at a rate of 70.5 percent.-UKASnews

KUCHING: The Kuching Water Board (LAK) remains committed to strengthening its role in providing quality and continuous treated water for Sarawakians. This commitment is is echoed in its special recognition for employees who have made outstanding contributions to the institution throughout their service, marking its 65th anniversary since its establishment in 1959. Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, highlighted LAK's essential role in balancing water supply and demand amid Sarawak's rapid population growth, emphasising that this role must be maintained. "LAK must be better prepared and resilient to face future challenges, adopting dynamic and productive approaches in managing treated water supply. "The sufficient water resources in our country should not make us complacent in addressing issues and challenges related to water management," he said. He made these remarks while officiating the LAK Appreciation Dinner for the Excellent Service Awards 2023 and the Retiree Recognition 2024 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Friday. The Sebuyau Assemblyman also highlighted that Sarawak's water supply coverage, which has now reached 85.4 percent, reflects Sarawak's full commitment to providing essential needs for residents, with a target of full coverage by 2030. At the same event, 49 recipients of the Excellent Service Award (APC) 2023 and 19 retirees for 2024 were also celebrated during the award ceremony. Also present were Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Sarawak Financial Secretary and LAK Chairman, Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, MUT Permanent Secretary, Datu Jafri Lias, LAK General Manager, Ir. Rodziah Mohamad, and other guests. -UKASnews

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Julaihi (fifth from left) attends KWB's appreciation dinner for the 2023 Excellent Service Awards and 2024 Retiree Recognition at BCCK.   KUCHING: The Kuching Water Board (KWB) has been urged to adopt a proactive approach to water management to meet the growing demands of Sarawak’s population. Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the KWB played a crucial role in balancing water supply and demand. “We must not become complacent despite our abundant water resources,” he said during the KWB’s appreciation dinner at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Friday. Julaihi, who is also the Sebuyau assemblyman, highlighted Sarawak’s current 85.4 per cent water supply coverage. “We aim to achieve full coverage by 2030,” he said. The event recognised 49 employees for their excellent service in 2023 and honoured 19 retirees. It also marked KWB’s 65th anniversary. Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, State Financial Secretary and KWB chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Utility and Telecommunication Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Jafri Lias, and KWB general manager Rodziah Mohamad were among those present.  

Wee inspects one of the water tanks at the 8th mile Hokkien cemetery.   KUCHING (March 28): The Kuching Water Board (KWB) has provided water tanks at the 8th mile Hokkien cemetery for the Qing Ming Festival on April 4. In a statement, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) said Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng had recognised the challenges faced by devotees during the festival where access to water supply to clean their ancestors’ tombs in some parts of the cemetery were not available. “This concern arose after receiving feedback from the public visiting the tombs of their ancestor discussions with KWB, the board has once again agreed to provide water tanks for the community during the festival period,” the council said. MBKS extended its sincere gratitude to KWB for its unwavering support and contribution to the Chinese community during this significant festival. “This unique practice is a testament to Sarawak’s cultural diversity and inclusivity. We value and respect the traditions of each community, and this gesture of goodwill serves to further strengthen the unity and harmony within our society. “This is a unique practice found only in Sarawak,” it said.

Media Release Kuching, 05 April 2024 Kuching Water Board is committed to fulfilling its zakat obligation to meet the requirements of Islam, as well as to ease the burden on Asnaf in Sarawak. Premier of Sarawak the Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg was present to witness the handing over of the mock cheque from Ir. Rodziah Bt Mohamad, General Manager of Kuching Water Board to YBhg Datu Haji Abang Mohammad Shibli Bin Haji Abang Mohd Nailie, General Manager of Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak. Also present was YB Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Bin Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (MUT), YB Datuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman Bin Haji Junaidi, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication II (Utility) as well as KWB Chairman YBhg Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Lizozman Bin Wan Omar and KWB Senior Msnagement.Media Release Kuching Water Board (KWB) has contributed its first business zakat payment of RM212,500 to Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak after taking into account a zakat of 2.57% for the Financial Year ended 31 December 2023. This is the first time the Board declared a zakat payment based on the Board's performance and financial position for the year 2023. Kuching Water Board is committed to fulfilling its zakat obligation to meet the requirements of Islam, as well as to ease the burden on Asnaf in Sarawak. Premier of Sarawak the Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg was present to witness the handing over of the mock cheque from Ir. Rodziah Bt Mohamad, General Manager of Kuching Water Board to YBhg Datu Haji Abang Mohammad Shibli Bin Haji Abang Mohd Nailie, General Manager of Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak. Also present was YB Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Bin Haji Narawi, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (MUT), YB Datuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman Bin Haji Junaidi, Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication II (Utility) as well as KWB Chairman YBhg Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Lizozman Bin Wan Omar and KWB Senior Msnagement.  

  KUCHING-- Sarawak sedang membangunkan Sistem Grid Air Negeri secara berperingkat di seluruh Sarawak.    Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi berkata, kerajaan Sarawak telah melancarkan Loji Rawatan Air Tanjung Manis pada 17 Mac lepas yang disempurnakan Premier Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, yang dapat membekalkan air ke kawasan sekitar Belawai.   "Loji ini boleh membekalkan 30 MLD tetapi permintaan semasa hanya 13 MLD," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita semasa lawatan ke Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang di sini hari ini bagi melihat kemajuan kerja-kerja menaik taraf loji tersebut bagi meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran airnya kepada 884 juta liter sehari (MLD) daripada 780 MLD.    Tambah Julaihi paip dari Tanjung Manis akan bersambung dengan paip yang disediakan oleh Lembaga Air Sibu dan membentuk grid.   Bagi kawasan lain pula katanya di Serian mempunyai Loji Rawatan Air Slabi dan Projek Fasa 2 Bekalan Air Wilayah Serian yang akan bersambung membentuk grid.   "Semua projek ini adalah usaha berterusan kerajaan Sarawak bagi mencapai liputan penuh bekalan air menjelang 2030," tegasnya.   Beliau memberitahu ketika ini liputan bekalan air di kawasan luar bandar adalah 70 peratus dan di seluruh Sarawak merangkumi bandar dan luar bandar adalah 85 peratus.   Tambahnya, banyak projek telah diluluskan kerajaan Sarawak yang akan dan sedang dilaksanakan dan semuanya dibiayai kerajaan Sarawak.   Mengenai Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang, Julaihi berkata loji itu dinaik taraf daripada 780 MLD kepada 884 MLD secara fizikalnya telah siap dan kini melalui proses "Ujian & Pentauliahan" (T&C) sehingga bulan Julai 2024.   Menurutnya, walaupun masih melalui proses T&C, loji itu sudah boleh menghasilkan air terawat sehingga mencapai kapsiti 884 MLD menjelang bulan Julai depan.   "Kos naik taraf RM107 juta adalah peruntukan bajet kerajaan Sarawak.   "Setakat ini permintaan sebenar air terawat dari Loji Air Batu Kitang ialah sebanyak 730 MLD berbanding kapasiti penghasilan air terawat yang meningkat kepada 884 MLD. "Pengguna terbesar adalah Samajaya Free Industrial Trade Zone yang kini mengguna 24 MLD," jelasnya.   Katanya lagi, kapasiti tambahan ini dapat membekal air ke kawasan Petra Jaya, Sampadi, Rambungan, Demak Laut dan Santubong.   "Malah loji ini juga membekal air terawat kepada JBALB yang seterusnya menghantar bekalan air terawat ke kawasan Asajaya, Kota Samarahan, Sadong Jaya, Sebangan, Sebuyau dan Simunjan di Bahagian Samarahan.   "Berdasarkan kapasiti baharu ini kelak reserve margin air terawat dari Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang ini akan meningkat dari 5 peratus kepada 12 peratus apabila selesainya T&C kelak," ujarnya.   Pada masa sama, beliau menegaskan langkah untuk menganti saluran paip lama dan uzur dan menaik taraf saluran paip di sekitar Bandaraya Kuching dan kawasan sekitar di Bahagian Samarahan serta seluruh Sarawak akan bermula sedikit masa lagi pada tahun ini menggunakan peruntukan RM247 juta dari bajet Sarawak yang sudah diluluskan.   "Jumlah ini adalah sebahagian daripada jumlah kelulusan sebanyak RM 1.08 Billion yang sudah diluluskan oleh Kerajaan Sarawak bagi mengganti paip uzur dan menaik taraf saluran paip sepanjang 2,740 km di seluruh Sarawak untuk jangka masa lima tahun.   "Langkah ini penting untuk mengawal dan mengurang air tidak terhasil @non revenue water ( NRW ) pada kadar sekurang-kurangnya 25 peratus selain memasti tekanan air tidak terjejas," ujarnya.  

KUCHING: Bahagian ini termasuk Kota Samarahan tidak akan berdepan masalah bekalan air yang serius ketika berdepan fenomena El Nino, iaitu cuaca kering yang luar biasa panjang dari Mac hingga Ogos tahun ini. Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi berkata, ia memandangkan Lembaga Air Kuching (LAK) tidak mempunyai masalah dengan bekalan sumber air mentah kepada Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang sejak 2016 dengan siapnya Empangan Bengoh. Katanya, ia ditambah lagi dengan naik taraf Loji 2, Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang dengan kapasiti daripada 96 juta liter sehari (MLD) kepada 200 MLD yang akan siap sepenuhnya pada Julai nanti setelah dimulakan pada 1 Mac 2021. “Purata permintaan air untuk tahun ini ialah 730 MLD dan dengan siapnya menaik taraf Loji 2, ia akan memberikan tambahan 104 MLD kepada jumlah kapasiti di Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang daripada 780 MLD kepada 884 MLD,” katanya yang ditemu-bual ketika melawat ke Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang di sini, hari ini. Bagaimanapun, beliau mengingatkan semua pihak agar mengambil langkah penjimatan air bagi meminimumkan kesan kemarau yang boleh menyebabkan isipadu air rendah dan tekanan air rendah untuk penggunaan isi rumah, pertanian dan sebagainya. Menjelas lanjut, Julaihi berkata ketika ini, kapasiti pengeluaran semasa bekalan air dari Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang adalah sebanyak 780 MLD. Katanya setakat 27 Mac ini, rangkaian Lembaga Air Kuching (LAK) adalah merangkumi 11 takungan utama dengan kira-kira 3,000 kilometer saluran paip yang membekalkan air terawat kepada 198,643 akaun aktif di Kuching serta kawasan berhampiran termasuk Kota Samarahan, Asajaya, Santubong dan Bau. Sementara itu, Julaihi berkata kementeriannya sedang giat melaksanakan projek penambahan pengeluaran bekalan air di seluruh Sarawak. “Banyak projek bekalan air yang sedang dan akan kita laksanakan dan semuanya adalah dibiayai oleh Kerajaan Sarawak,” katanya. Menurutnya, setakat ini liputan bekalan air di kawasan luar bandar adalah 70 peratus, dengan purata keseluruhan liputan bekalan air bagi kawasan luar bandar dan bandar di seluruh Sarawak adalah 85 peratus.

Julaihi (tiga kanan) ketika melawat Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang, hari ini.   KUCHING: Kerja-kerja penggantian saluran paip lama sepanjang 2,740 kilometer di seluruh Sarawak akan bermula tahun ini, kata Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. Menurut Julaihi, untuk tahun ini sahaja sejumlah RM247 juta diluluskan bagi tujuan itu yang dibiayai sepenuhnya kerajaan Sarawak.  "Kita akan kenal pasti di mana kawasan kritikal yang perlu kita ganti paip yang lama dan rosak bagi membolehkan bekalan air disalurkan dalam keadaan yang sempurna.  "Ini perancangan jangka panjang kita kerana kita (kerajaan Sarawak) telah meluluskan penggantian paip ini untuk tempoh lima tahun dengan kos RM1 bilion," ujarnya.  Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita semasa lawatan ke Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang di sini bagi melihat kemajuan kerja-kerja menaik taraf loji tersebut bagi meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran airnya kepada 884 juta liter sehari (MLD) daripada 780 MLD.  Selain menggantikan saluran paip lama menurut Julaihi, kerajaan Sarawak kini sedang giat membangunkan Sistem Grid Air Negeri secara berperingkat di seluruh Sarawak.  Sebagai contoh di Tanjung Manis katanya, kerajaan telah melancarkan Loji Rawatan Air Tanjung Manis pada 17 Mac lepas oleh Premier Sarawak yang dapat membekalkan air ke kawasan sekitar Belawai.  Loji di Tanjung Manis katanya, boleh membekalkan 30 MLD tetapi permintaan semasa hanya 13 MLD.  "Paip dari Tanjung Manis akan bersambung dengan paip yang disediakan oleh Lembaga Air Sibu dan membentuk grid.  "Begitu juga di kawasan lain misalnya Serian, kita ada Loji Rawatan Air Slabi dan Projek Fasa 2 Bekalan Air Wilayah Serian yang akan bersambung membentuk grid," jelasnya.  Semua projek tersebut kata Julaihi, adalah usaha berterusan kerajaan Sarawak bagi mencapai liputan penuh bekalan air menjelang 2030.  Pada masa ini katanya, liputan bekalan air di kawasan luar bandar adalah 70 peratus dan di seluruh Sarawak (bandar dan luar bandar) antara 84 peratus dan 85 peratus.  "Banyak projek telah diluluskan kerajaan Sarawak yang akan dan sedang dilaksanakan dan semuanya dibiayai kerajaan Sarawak," katanya.  oleh Agnes Tugong  Utusan Borneo Online 28/03/2024  

  KUCHING (Dec 2): The upgrading works for Plant 2 of the Batu Kitang water treatment plant are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024, said Datuk Julaihi Narawi. The Minister of Utility and Telecommunication said the capacity of the water treatment plant will increase to 884 million litres per day (MLD) once completed. “The current capacity is 780 MLD, and will increase to 884 MLD after the completion of Plant 2. An additional 100 MLD is also being worked on, which will increase the capacity to 984 MLD. “Achieving this by next year will help meet the demand for water supply not just in Kuching city, but in the Samarahan area especially for Samarindah, Kampung Tanjung Parang and Kampung Melayu. “We hope those from these areas, including Stakan and 7th Mile, can be patient as the current water supply is expected to be sufficient by March when the ongoing upgrades are completed,” he said when attending the Kuching Water Board’s (KWB) Appreciation Night for the Excellent Service Award (APC) 2022 and Retirement Recognition (July-Dec 2023) at Hikmah Exchange here on Friday night. On another note, Julaihi said the state government is looking at upgrading and replacing water distribution pipes statewide, including those in Kuching. “The government has approved the budget to initiate the replacement and upgrading works starting next year. With these replacement, ageing pipes currently in use will be phased out, as our target is to upgrade and replace the pipes in the existing water supply system every year. “Kuching area will be our priority in the upgrading and replacement exercise starting next year,” he said. Meanwhile, at the appreciation night, 46 KWB staff received the Excellent Service Award and 232 staff received the Purata e-Prestasi 85 per cent recognition. “KWB contributes not only to the water supply in Kuching city, but their services have crossed the boundaries of the city such as to the Samarahan division — enabling the supply of clean water to its residents,” he said. Also present were Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang; Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap; deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Syed Mohamad Fauzi; and KWB chief executive officer Rodziah Mohamad.  -By Kedung B Kapong on December 2, 2023, Saturday at 9:07 AM (The Borneo Post Online)   Click HERE

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KUCHING: The upgrading of the Batu Kitang water treatment plant is set to be completed within the first quarter of 2024, said Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi. The Utility and Telecommunication Minister said the focus is particularly on fortifying the capacity of the Batu Kitang water treatment plant, presently at 780 Million Litres Daily (MLD), with a targeted upgrade to 884 Million Litres Daily (MLD). “Once achieved, the upgraded capacity is expected to address the increasing water demand in Samarahan, specifically in Samarindah, Batu 7 area, Kampung Tanjung Parang, including Kampung Baru, and other areas under the Kuching Water Board. “While anticipating the fulfilment of water demand by March next year, the board is simultaneously pursuing an additional 100 MLD increase in the Batu Kitang supply plant “Combining this with another 800 MLD, the total capacity is projected to reach 984 MLD,” he said during the Kuching Water Board Excellent Service Award (APC) ceremony at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre last night (Dec 1). He said this is also anticipated to be a crucial solution to meet the escalating demand in Kuching city and its surrounding areas supplied with treated and clean water by the Kuching Water Board. “The current capacity, although at 10 percent, falls short of the 30 percent deemed necessary for water supply projects in densely populated regions. “Recognizing this, the government is actively involved, fostering awareness and facilitating water supply expansion beyond Kuching’s city limits,” he added. In parallel, he said the Sarawak Government has approved a budget to replace and upgrade distribution pipes, addressing the wear and tear evident in the existing water supply system throughout Sarawak. This effort includes the water supply system in Kuching City, aiming for an extensive overhaul starting next year. Also present during the award is Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Utility) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap. - New Sarawak Tribune, 2 Dec 2023 Click HERE to read this news

Julaihi (duduk, tengah) merakamkan kenangan bersama warga Lembaga Air Kuching ketika lawatan ke Loji Rawatan Air Kuching, hari ini.   KUCHING: Lembaga Air Kuching (KWB) sedang menaik taraf salah satu lojinya di Batu Kitang bagi meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran air terawatnya kepada 884 juta liter sehari (MLD). Menteri Utiliti dan Telekomunikasi Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi berkata, kapasiti Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang pada masa sekarang ialah 780 MLD bagi memenuhi permintaan sebanyak 730 MLD.  "Loji yang dinaik taraf sekarang ialah akan memberi tambahan kapasiti 104 MLD menjadikan jumlah kapasiti kepada 884 MLD.  "Jadi kita berharap dengan peningkatan hasil air di loji yang sedang dinaik taraf ini, kita dapat membekalkan air yang diperlukan bagi kawasan bandar Kuching, Petra Jaya, Santubong, Rambungan, Sampadi dan Demak Laut.  "Ini antara kawasan yang mendapat manfaat daripada penarafan loji di Batu Kitang ini," katanya kepada pemberita semasa lawatan ke Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang di sini, hari ini.  Tambah Julaihi, selain membekalkan air ke kawasan tersebut, loji itu juga memenuhi permintaan daripada Jabatan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (JBALB) untuk dibekalkan ke kawasan Bahagian Samarahan hingga ke kawasan Sadong Jaya, Asajaya, Sebuyau, Sebangan dan sebahagian Simunjan.  Sebab itu katanya, Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang sangat penting kerana JBALB bergantung kepadanya untuk membekalkan air ke kawasan Bahagian Samarahan.  Ujar Julaihi lagi, kos bagi kerja-kerja menaik taraf loji ini adalah sebanyak RM107 juta dibiayai sepenuhnya kerajaan Sarawak dan dijangka siap sepenuhnya menjelang bulan Julai tahun ini.  Selain meningkatkan kapasiti pengeluaran air kepada 884 MLD, kerja-kerja naik taraf ini juga akan meningkatkan margin rizab Loji Rawatan Air Batu Kitang kepada 12 peratus berbanding lima peratus.  "Ini merupakan usaha beterusan kerajaan Sarawak untuk menambah air terawat untuk kawasan yang dinyatakan.  "Sekarang kontraktor masih menjalankan ujian dan pengoperasian dan berharap Julai nanti, kapasiti loji ini akan meningkat kepada 884 MLD dengan margin rizab 12 peratus," katanya.  oleh: Agnes Tugong  Utusan Online 28/03/2024