Tiong slams Sibu Water Board over years of water cuts

SIBU: Sibu Water Board (SWB) has been told to buck up and resolve the frequent water supply interruptions.

Dudong assemblyman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said that the frequent water supply interruption has affected livelihoods and provoked public resentment.

Tiong, who is also Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister slammed SWB for lacking long-term planning and demanded the board issue an apology.

“The substandard water supply measures in Salim and Bukit Lima severely impact the people’s livelihoods.

“SWB must provide a reasonable explanation and even apologise to the people for their negligence and persistent misconduct, which directly undermines the goals of Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg of prioritising the people through good governance and striving to improve infrastructure in Sarawak,” he said in a statement on Friday (June 21).

Tiong said he had been repeatedly raising concerns since 2020 with SWB over the issue.

“What is unacceptable is that as we approach 2024, the authorities continue to use the same excuses and explanations, while the people still face challenges in meeting their basic needs of life. This is something that cannot be compromised nor tolerated,” he stressed.

Tiong added that he had once suggested deepening the Rajang River or finding a suitable location for a water pump.

However, he said he could not understand or accept the reason that “the Rajang River is too shallow for water pumping, necessitating water supply interruptions”.

“What kind of engineering is so inflexible that it cannot effectively solve the water supply problem?” he asked.

He urged SWB to appoint a capable consultant or contractor to conduct on-site inspections and propose effective solutions.

“SWB must be down-to-earth, go to the grassroots, understand and solve the problems people face, instead of just sitting in the office and making excuses.

“People are tired of SWB’s many excuses. I warn SWB to provide solutions immediately and appease public resentment with practical actions and stop frequent flood problems from happening again,” he said.