BAU: The Sarawak government is taking decisive action to address persistent treated water supply disruptions in the Jagoi and Bratak areas of Bau District, which have affected communities since late 2024. Sarawak Deputy Minister of Transport (Rivers and Marine) and Tasik Biru Assemblyman Dato Henry Harry Jinep highlighted the issue’s impact on villages including Stass, Serikin, Gumbang, Tringgus, and surrounding areas.
Speaking at a press conference at the Bau District Office on Thursday, Jinep stated, “I have personally visited the affected areas and am closely monitoring the efforts led by the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB).” He commended JBALB’s swift response, which includes conducting pipe leak tests, repair works, water delivery to affected communities, and installing loggers to monitor water pressure and flow.
Jinep announced that the Sarawak government, through JBALB, has approved a RM7 million project to upgrade 355mm high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes along a 10.1km stretch from the Bau traffic light junction to the Penjiru Pump Station.
Currently, in the final stage of tender preparation, the project is set to begin in September 2025 and is expected to be completed before Gawai 2026. The initiative aims to enhance the water supply system’s capacity and provide a long-term solution to the region’s water woes, which have been exacerbated by population spikes during festive seasons and undetected underground pipe leaks.
“The Sarawak government is fully committed to resolving this issue promptly to ensure the well-being of residents,” Jinep affirmed, urging affected communities to remain patient and cooperate with JBALB during the implementation phase. The project is part of broader efforts to support Bau’s growth, including developments like the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) Complex in Serikin and new housing projects linked to the Pan Borneo Highway.
