361 water supply projects worth RM6.46 bln under 13MP

SARAWAK has allocated RM6.46 billion for 361 water supply projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and alternative funding to expand coverage and improve access statewide.

Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said water supply development required complete infrastructure systems, from treatment plants and pipelines to storage tanks and pumping stations.

“Water supply can only be delivered to the people once the entire chain of infrastructure within the water supply ecosystem is completed,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech on Monday (Oct 19).

“Sarawak’s overall water supply coverage had increased to 86.1 per cent, compared with 85.6 per cent last year, while rural coverage had reached 72 per cent,

“To achieve full coverage and meet rising demand, the state plans to build or upgrade 32 major water treatment plants and develop 2,934 km of water grid pipelines across Sarawak,” he said.

Julaihi said 10 treatment plants and 561 km of grid pipelines had been completed, while the remaining 22 plants and 2,373 km of pipelines are underway or scheduled for implementation.

“Of the 361 projects funded through 13MP and alternative funding, 338, or 94 per cent, had been completed or were at the construction stage, with the remainder in pre-implementation.

“For 2026, the state had allocated RM662.7 million to implement water supply extension projects under 13MP and alternative funding, supporting continued infrastructure development across Sarawak,” he added.

He said the state was also developing an integrated water grid linking the southern and northern regions under the Sarawak Water Supply and Water Grid Master Plan.

“Remote areas beyond the grid would receive water through the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply programme, while the government continued implementing projects to improve reliability and extend access to underserved communities statewide,” he said.