Dewan Rakyat: Six water supply projects in Sarawak worth RM1.272 billion are underway

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27: A total of six water supply development projects in Sarawak at a total cost of RM1.272 billion will be continued under the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13) First Rolling Plan (RP1)

Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said that the implementation of the project will be coordinated with the Sarawak Government based on development priorities and population needs.

"The project is through loan method and will continue to be implemented to support the development of sustainable water supply in Sarawak", he said as he rolled out a discussion on the Supply Bill 2027 by the Ministry of Energy Transfer and Water Transformation in the Dewan Rakyat, today.

In related developments, Fadillah said the Federal Government provided a grant of RM444.96 million to support the development of water supply infrastructure in Sabah, including critical pipeline replacement and implementation of non-resultant water reduction (NRW) measures.

"This is among the approaches to improve efficiency of supply systems and expand access to clean water supplies, especially in areas still facing infrastructure constraints", he said.

Meanwhile, he said in the Labuan Federal Territory, efforts to improve the reliability of water supply systems are continuing through maintenance work, repairs and replacement of critical components, including sewage system, to increase operational efficiency as well as reduce risk of disruption of supply to consumers.

Fadillah said the government also continued NRW National Approach 1 Reduction Programme Phase 2 with an allocation of RM2.52 billion to address wastewater loss.

"The programme includes the replacement of critical pipes for approximately 1,978 kilometres at an estimated cost of RM1.7 billion, in addition to the implementation of a holistic NRW solution worth RM824.73 million.

"Cooperation between the Federal Government, state governments and water supply operators will continue to be strengthened in order to reduce leaks, improve the efficiency of the distribution network as well as ensure adequate and sustained clean water supplies to the people", he said.

For the record, PETRA received an allocation of RM5.33 billion through Budget 2027, including RM400 million for management spending and RM4.93 billion for development spending. - TVS