KUCHING – The Sarawak Government has raised concerns over the growing problem of vandalism targeting utility assets, warning that such acts not only disrupt essential services but also create negative public perceptions of agencies tasked with providing them.
Minister for Utilities and Telecommunications (MUTS), Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, said that irresponsible behaviour by a small number of individuals has repeatedly caused interruptions to water and electricity supplies. These incidents, he explained, often lead the public to wrongly assume that agencies such as Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) or the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) are failing in their duties.
Speaking at the MUTS Integrity Day 2025 Celebration in Kuching, Julaihi highlighted specific cases where water valves were deliberately tampered with, diverting supply to a single premise and leaving surrounding areas with low pressure or no water at all. In other cases, roadside electrical cabinets were broken into, with cables and copper components stolen, resulting in blackouts and non-functioning streetlights.
“The effect is not only that electricity supply to homes or premises is cut off, but also that street lighting fails, creating the perception that agencies such as SEB are not carrying out their responsibilities,” he said.
The minister stressed that such actions have wider consequences, as they undermine public trust in government agencies and create unnecessary hardship for communities. He urged the public to recognise that vandalism is not a victimless act but one that directly affects households, businesses, and road safety.
At the same event, Julaihi witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MUTS and SIRIM Berhad. The agreement focuses on cooperation in the areas of safety, quality, and performance of electrical and gas equipment in Sarawak. Officials said the collaboration is expected to strengthen standards and improve consumer confidence in utility services.
The issue of vandalism has been a persistent challenge in Sarawak. According to earlier reports, the state recorded over 1,600 cases of damage to utility infrastructure in 2024, resulting in estimated losses of more than RM5.4 million. In response, the ministry has set up an Anti-Vandalism Committee to coordinate enforcement, review laws, and raise public awareness about the consequences of such acts.
Observers note that the government’s efforts to modernise Sarawak’s infrastructure—through projects in water supply, electricity distribution, and telecommunications—require strong protection against vandalism to ensure long-term reliability. The ministry has also called on local communities to play a role in safeguarding public assets by reporting suspicious activities.
Also present at the Integrity Day ceremony were Datuk Liwan Lagang, MUTS Deputy Minister (Telecommunications); Datuk Ibrahim Baki, MUTS Deputy Minister (Sarawak Energy Berhad and PETROS); Datu Jafri Lias, MUTS Permanent Secretary; and Datu Ir Ts Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan, Director of JBALB, along with other invited guests.
The government reiterated that protecting utility infrastructure is essential to maintaining uninterrupted services and ensuring that Sarawak’s development goals are not undermined by the reckless actions of a few.
