JULAU – Around 5,000 residents in Nanga Lasi, Julau, will soon gain access to clean water through the implementation of a RM58 million Rural Water Supply Project (BALB). The large-scale initiative is set to benefit 19 longhouses, a school, and a health clinic, marking a significant step forward in improving rural infrastructure.
The project, announced during a final briefing at Jalan KJD, Sarikei, was attended by Meluan State Assemblyman (ADUN) Dato Rolland Duat Jubin, who described it as a clear demonstration of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s commitment to rural development.
He stressed that the initiative reflects the administration’s determination to ensure that rural communities are not left behind in accessing essential services.
“GPS is not just talking nonsense, but fulfilling its responsibilities to the people. This project is clear evidence of the government’s efforts in improving the living standards of the rural community,” he said.
The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) is overseeing the project, with the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) appointed as the implementing agency. Syarikat Konsultan Malaysia has been named as the project leader. The tendering process is expected to take place later this year.
Dato Rolland highlighted that the provision of clean water has always been a priority for the GPS government, particularly in rural constituencies such as Meluan.
He noted that the project is part of a broader strategy to uplift rural communities by providing reliable infrastructure and improving quality of life.
The announcement comes as Julau continues to face long-standing water supply challenges. According to recent reports, the Julau Water Treatment Plant, which has been in operation since the 1970s, has struggled to meet rising demand.
Current capacity stands at 1.8 million litres per day (MLD), short of the estimated 2.8 MLD required to serve the population.
New projects, including the Nanga Lasi BALB, are expected to add up to 20 MLD of additional supply once completed, significantly easing shortages.
This project also aligns with Sarawak’s wider rural development agenda. Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the state government has allocated more than 60 per cent of its annual budget to rural-focused initiatives, including road construction, electricity expansion, and water supply schemes.
Local leaders have welcomed the Nanga Lasi project, describing it as a “game changer” for longhouse residents who have long relied on inconsistent or untreated water sources.
The inclusion of a school and health clinic in the project scope is expected to further enhance community well-being by ensuring that essential services are supported with reliable water access.
With tendering scheduled for this year, the project is anticipated to begin construction soon after, bringing long-awaited relief to thousands of rural households in Julau.
