KUCHING: The Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication will modernise its current utility infrastructure over the next few years in line with Sarawak’s digital transformation agenda, its minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi said.
“The transformation, among others, includes enhancing the metering system in the utility sector,” he said.
Apart from that, he said that the ministry would continue the development strategies and plans proposed under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
“The strategies include the implementation of various master plans for water supply, electricity supply, gas distribution and telecommunication, thereby ensuring its commitment to have world class utilities in line with Sarawak’s aspiration to be a developed state by 2030.
“We are also committed to ensuring that the major projects such as Sarawak Water Supply Grid, Enhancing and Sustaining Electricity Supply System and Development of Gas Supply Network will be implemented,” he said during the last day of a workshop for the study on the formation of one entity and body corporate for state water supply at Imperial Hotel here, yesterday (Jan 14).
Julaihi said he would propose the funds required to the Chief Minister for consideration and to kick start the water supply and gas projects.
“Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12 MP), my ministry has embarked on the implementation of the state-wide water grid to ensure a reliable, sustainable and resilient water supply for the people of Sarawak.
“The treated water grid will traverse Sarawak from the south to the north, linking the water treatment facilities to form a continuous water grid,” he said.
At the same time, he said the ministry had initiated the Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (SAWAS) programme and would continue to implement the SAWAS projects under the 12 MP to provide clean and safe water to remote areas, which were not accessible by road or were located in areas too far away to be connected to the existing water supply systems.
“With the inclusion of a telecommunication portfolio to the ministry, my ministry will also need to ensure that telecommunication coverage will be extended to the entire state to accelerate the digital economy agenda, besides the target of achieving 100 per cent water and electricity coverage by 2025.
“An achievement of 100 per cent means that there is zero complaint in the future. We have set a specific year for this and we should be able to achieve the target by 2025,” he said.
Towards realising the aspiration to be a developed state by 2030, he urged all agencies under the ministry to work closely together to provide resilient, effective and efficient utility services.
