Latest news with #UtilityandTelecommunication
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to continue ALAF project in phases to extend electricity supply to underserved communities
Julaihi speaks to reporters after the handover ceremony for Phase 8 of the LJK Project at Kampung Merdang Lumut in Kota Samarahan. KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 28): The Additional or Late Applicant (ALAF) project will continue to be implemented in phases by the Sarawak government as part of its efforts to extend electricity supply to underserved communities, said State Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. He said the initiative has received a total allocation of RM315 million for Phases 1 to 4, which are currently being carried out progressively. 'Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the Sarawak government has also approved an allocation of RM550 million to continue implementing the ALAF programme in rural areas across the state in phases,' he told a press conference after the handover ceremony for Phase 8 of the Village Street Lighting (LJK) Project at Kampung Merdang Lumut here today. He explained that the implementation of ALAF is conducted on a rotational basis to ensure equitable distribution, especially for longhouses and villages located in remote and hard-to-reach areas. 'Sarawak is vast, and one of the main challenges lies in its topography, distance, terrain, and various other constraints which require coordination across multiple agencies,' he said. Julaihi also sought to clarify misconceptions held by certain quarters that Sarawak prioritises electricity exports, particularly to Kalimantan, over the needs of its own rural communities. 'Let us not be misled. Electricity exports to Kalimantan have been ongoing since 2016 and are not provided free of charge. Instead, they are sold at tariffs significantly higher than local rates. 'We support our neighbours, but our own people will always remain the priority. That is why ALAF is still ongoing and will continue to be implemented,' he stressed. He further disclosed that Sarawak will supply 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Sabah through a power exchange agreement, with the potential to increase the supply to 50MW or even 80MW, depending on grid stability. 'In addition, we have approved the allocation of no less than 1,000MW of electricity to Singapore via undersea cable, along with another approved supply allocation to Peninsular Malaysia, also not exceeding 1,000MW,' he added. He also revealed that there are plans to supply electricity to Brunei in the future. However, he assured that this will not compromise domestic demand. 'At present, Sarawak is capable of generating up to 5.8 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, compared to current demand of approximately 4.8GW. This leaves us with a sufficient energy reserve margin. 'This clearly shows that we have more than enough to meet our local needs. Rural electrification remains a top priority through ALAF,' he said. ALAF electricity supply julaihi narawi
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak to continue ALAF project in phases extend electricity supply to underserved communities
KOTA SAMARAHAN (June 28): The Additional or Late Applicant (ALAF) project will continue to be implemented in phases by the Sarawak government as part of its efforts to extend electricity supply to underserved communities, said State Minister for Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. He said the initiative has received a total allocation of RM315 million for Phases 1 to 4, which are currently being carried out progressively. 'Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the Sarawak government has also approved an allocation of RM550 million to continue implementing the ALAF programme in rural areas across the state in phases,' he told a press conference after the handover ceremony for Phase 8 of the Village Street Lighting (LJK) Project at Kampung Merdang Lumut here today. He explained that the implementation of ALAF is conducted on a rotational basis to ensure equitable distribution, especially for longhouses and villages located in remote and hard-to-reach areas. 'Sarawak is vast, and one of the main challenges lies in its topography, distance, terrain, and various other constraints which require coordination across multiple agencies,' he said. Julaihi also sought to clarify misconceptions held by certain quarters that Sarawak prioritises electricity exports, particularly to Kalimantan, over the needs of its own rural communities. 'Let us not be misled. Electricity exports to Kalimantan have been ongoing since 2016 and are not provided free of charge. Instead, they are sold at tariffs significantly higher than local rates. 'We support our neighbours, but our own people will always remain the priority. That is why ALAF is still ongoing and will continue to be implemented,' he stressed. He further disclosed that Sarawak will supply 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Sabah through a power exchange agreement, with the potential to increase the supply to 50MW or even 80MW, depending on grid stability. 'In addition, we have approved the allocation of no less than 1,000MW of electricity to Singapore via undersea cable, along with another approved supply allocation to Peninsular Malaysia, also not exceeding 1,000MW,' he added. He also revealed that there are plans to supply electricity to Brunei in the future. However, he assured that this will not compromise domestic demand. 'At present, Sarawak is capable of generating up to 5.8 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, compared to current demand of approximately 4.8GW. This leaves us with a sufficient energy reserve margin. 'This clearly shows that we have more than enough to meet our local needs. Rural electrification remains a top priority through ALAF,' he said.
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Julaihi: Regional water grids across Sarawak to be connected under comprehensive master plan
Julaihi (sixth left) is seen in a group photo at the Singapore International Water Week 2025 event. KUCHING (June 24): Sarawak has developed the comprehensive Water Supply Master Plan and Water Grid to transform its water supply sector and achieve full coverage by 2030, said Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. In his keynote address at the Singapore Business Forum @ Spotlight for Singapore International Water Week 2025 yesterday, the Minister for Utility and Telecommunication shared that under the masterplan, all water grids in southern, central, and northern regions will be upgraded, enhanced, and expanded. He said these regional grids will eventually be connected to span across Sarawak. 'Currently Sarawak's overall water supply coverage is 85.4 per cent with rural coverage at about 70.5 per cent. The pipeline grid systems are served by separate supply schemes which are not integrated across the whole Sarawak. 'For communities in the remote interior areas that are inaccessible for supply from the water grid, clean water is supplied through stand-alone Sarawak Alternative Water Supply (Sawas),' he said. Julaihi pointed out that a single entity for Sarawak water supply will be formed through the amalgamation of Kuching Water Board, Sibu Water Board, and Laku Management Sdn Bhd, as well as the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department at a later stage. He shared that Sarawak is also adopting digitalisation to drive innovative automation. Key initiatives include a centralised supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) command centre, smart meters, smart internet-of things (IOT) applications such as smart leakages detection, and other cutting-edge technologies that support improved service delivery and the reduction of non-revenue water losses, he said. Julaihi was invited by the Singapore Water Association (SWA) to deliver the keynote 'Regional Partnerships – Tapping Southeast Asia's Water Market Regional Synergy in Tackling Shared Water Challenges'. The keynote noted Sarawak will continue to strengthen its collaborations with its Southeast Asian neighbours and international partners as it pursues the transformation of the water sector. In conjunction with the visit, the Sarawak delegation also visited the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) and Separation Technologies Applied Research and Translation Centre (START). The delegation explored advanced analytical equipment and filtration technologies and the feasibility of adopting these for Sarawak's water and utility sector. The delegation also visited the Public Utilities Board (PUB) Command Centre to witness the uses of machine learning for PUB's data-based predictive maintenance and asset management optimisation to reduce system downtime and provide the most efficient water service delivery and maintenance. 'This engagement underscores Sarawak's commitment to innovation and collaborations with our Southeast Asian neighbours in advancing sustainable water and utility solutions,' added Julaihi. julaihi narawi lead Sarawak water grids Singapore Water Association
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Minister: 4,662 telco tower structures completed to date
File photo for illustration purposes KUCHING (May 26): A total of 4,662 telecommunication tower structures, including those on buildings, have been completed to date, said Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. He said this was an increase of 81 towers when compared to the 4,581 completed towers which were reported in the last sitting in November last year. 'Of the completed towers, 4,446 or 95 per cent are on-air while the remaining 216 (5 per cent) will be operational in stages by the end of 2025. 'To date, the internet service coverage has increased to 90.2 per cent compared to 84.8 per cent as reported in the last DUN sitting,' he said in his ministerial winding-up speech today. Julaihi also updated the august House on the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (Saluran) initiative where to date, the state government has allocated RM2.3 billion as an intervention measure to accelerate internet coverage expansion in rural areas under this initiative. 'A key component of Saluran is the construction of Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) towers. 'So far, 585 out of 618 SMART towers have been completed of which 18 of them are repeaters. Of the completed towers, 480 are operational, while the rest will be fully operational in stages by the fourth quarter of 2025,' he said. On the federal government's National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (Jendela), Julaihi said a total of 906 out of 909 telecommunications towers have been completed under the initiative's first phase. 'Of this number, 795 towers are operational with 4G services, while the remainder will be fully operational in stages by the fourth quarter of 2025.' For 5G services, he said 574 out of 576 5G sites were now in operation with the remaining expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025. DUN sitting internet coverage julaihi narawi lead telecommunication tower
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Upgraded Bayong plant in Sarikei boasts 100 MLD capacity, new intake point and pipelines
Julaihi (front fourth right) is briefed about the Bayong Water Treatment Plant. SARIKEI (May 8): The upgraded Bayong Water Treatment Plant here has a new intake point along the Gerugu River, said Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. The Minister of Utility and Telecommunication said the plant sources its raw water from the Gerugu Dam, which has a yield of approximately 140 million litres. 'The Bayong plant has now been fully upgraded and boasts a capacity of 100 MLD (million litres per day), up from its previous 70 MLD, with an additional 30 MLD added through recent works. 'The upgrade, which included the construction of a new intake point and installation of new pipelines, cost RM68.4 million, fully funded by the Sarawak government,' he said during a visit yesterday. Separately, he said work to upgrade the Julau Water Treatment Plant is progressing steadily and expected to increase the facility's water production capacity to 4.7 MLD once completed by the end of this year. He said the new water treatment plant, currently under construction, will have a capacity of 3.4 MLD. 'Located adjacent to the existing plant which currently produces 1.3 MLD, the addition will significantly enhance water supply,' he said. He added the project, fully funded by the Sarawak government, comes at a cost of nearly RM26 million. Meanwhile, Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat Jubin voiced deep concern over the ongoing water supply crisis in Julau, describing the situation as critical and having dragged on for far too long. He called on the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to be more efficient and proactive in resolving the long-standing water issues affecting the Meluan constituency. 'The residents have been patient but are in urgent need of a sustainable solution,' said Rolland. Julaihi instructed JBALB to give the utmost commitment in addressing the matter and stressed that the department must remain responsive to public complaints and act swiftly to implement necessary measures. Among those present were Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing, Wong Zee Yeng – who represented Sarikei MP Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, JBALB state director Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan, and Sarikei Deputy Resident Badjuri Bidin.
