12 Longhouses In Interior Sarikei Need Access To Treated Water Supply
KUCHING: A total of 12 longhouses in the interior areas of Sarikei, including Sebangkoi/Bukit Kayu Malam and Sungai Mawang/Sungai Rusa, have yet to enjoy full access to treated water supply, prompting calls for clarification on the status of related projects.
Repok Assemblyman Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii said residents in these areas still rely on river water and rainwater harvesting, the quality of which is uncertified.
“Residents in these areas still depend on rivers and rainwater collection, where water quality is unassured and poses health risks, particularly to children and the elderly,” he said.
He said this while debating the Supply (2027) Bill, 2026 during the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting here on Wednesday.
Accordingly, he requested the government to clarify the current status of the treated water supply projects for the Sebangkoi/Bukit Kayu Malam and Sungai Mawang/Sungai Rusa areas to ascertain the progress of efforts in delivering basic utilities to the affected populace.
Touching on other matters, he noted that several interior areas, including longhouses and villages far from the town centre, continue to face difficulties in obtaining stable mobile network and internet connectivity.
“In connection with this, I welcome the Sarawak Premier's statement during the presentation of the Sarawak Budget 2027 on bridging the rural development gap to connect communities with market opportunities,” he added.
On infrastructure development, he highlighted that the Sungai Lepong Bridge, built in 1990, needs to be reconstructed to meet the current requirements of rural residents, particularly 16 longhouses and a primary school relying on the bridge as their primary connectivity link.
He stated that the 28-metre long and 4.2-metre wide bridge plays a vital role in connecting residents for daily affairs, besides ensuring the smooth movement of goods and service delivery.
“Bridges serve as the main lifelines for Sarikei residents, not only for daily tasks but also for the seamless flow of goods and services,” he stressed.
However, he explained that the existing bridge structure no longer meets present demand, thus requiring government intervention to ensure safer and more reliable transport infrastructure for the local community.
Consequently, he proposed that the government execute the reconstruction of the Sungai Lepong Bridge to upgrade connectivity facilities and fulfill the needs of its commuters.
Regarding river transport, Dato Sri Huang emphasised that upgrading the dilapidated and capacity-limited commercial jetty is urgently needed to enhance safety and operational efficiency for riverine transport and trade in Sarikei.
“Sarikei, as a commercial hub and river transport node, requires an upgrade to the existing commercial jetty — which is dilapidated and limited in capacity — to boost safety and operational efficiency,” he asserted.
He noted that during a previous DUN sitting, the relevant Minister informed that the project was at the design stage and expected to go to tender in the second quarter of 2026.
Construction was scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 with a 24-month execution period, while the jetty is anticipated to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2028.
As such, he requested the government to provide the latest progress updates on the project, including the official construction start date, estimated total cost, and expected completion date to clarify its implementation status. — UKASnews
