Sarawak : RM120 mln for rural water supply

The federal government is allocating RM120 million for the implementation of rural piped water supply for the whole of Sarawak under the Economic Stimulus Package.

This was disclosed by Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan yesterday.

According to Tengah, works to get piped water supply to rural villages are in various stages, with some projects still in the tender process while there are those already underway.

He added that Kampung Pejuang Kelulit, along with several other villages in the Sibuti area, was also included in the project.

“We are aware that there are still areas with no dependable clean water supply and for now the government has included Kampung Pejuang Kelulit and other nearby villages in the Economic Stimulus Package.

“The project will be fully implemented within two years starting from this year.

“Following that, we will set up two special committees, under the district office and the ministry, to monitor the development of projects as well as to ensure that the projects are completed within the time frame,” he said.

He was met after officiating at the leaders-with-the-people session cum Makan Taun Festival at Kampung Pejuang Kelulit in Sibuti yesterday.

Tengah also said the government would get the Public Works Department (PWD) to monitor the implementation of projects in all the areas involved.

Tengah also said that Kampung Pejuang Kelulit was expected to have electricity supply by this coming fasting month.

“The government is aware that the people here are badly in need of electricity supply. But just be patient as we are in the process of implementation and hope to get the supply in before Hari Raya,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Tengah said minority groups like the Kedayan must not be ashamed to join other races in grabbing opportunities created by developments being implemented by the government.

“Don’t just become spectators but participate in the development. The Kedayan must also be competitive and should have the desire to succeed like any other races here,” he said.

At the same function, he also announced a grant of RM20,000 for Sibuti Kedayan Association.
Meanwhile, the Makan Taun Festival was organised by Sibuti Kedayan Association in collaboration with Kampung Pejuang Kelulit Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK).

Also present were Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai Bujang, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Development) Mohd Naroden Majais, Bekenu assemblywoman Rosey Yunus, Lambir assemblyman Aidan Wing, Telang Usan assemblyman Lihan Jok and a political secretary to the chief minister who is also the chairman of Sibuti Kedayan Association, Ripin Lamat.