Deputy Premier wants water supply issues at SK Ulu Merapok dormitory, teachers' quarters resolved quickly
(From left) Morliah, Awang Tengah and Henry Sum attending the Ulu Merapok Zone Aidilfitri Reception Ceremony at the Ulu Merapok Mini Service Center.
LAWAS (April 22): Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan has urged authorities to immediately resolve the water supply issues affecting the dormitory block and new teachers' quarters at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ulu Merapok.
He expressed his frustration that the issue remains unresolved despite having raised it since last year.
'I was briefed by the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) after we increased the capacity of the water plant in Merapok to two million litres per day (MLD).
'The distribution pipes have been fully installed and I understand that it should have been completed not this year, but last year including the Mini Service Centre and surrounding villages. So this matter must be explained by the JBALB why it is still pending,' he said.
He said this when attending the Ulu Merapok Zone Aidilfitri Reception Ceremony at the Ulu Merapok Mini Service Centre, here on Monday.
Also present were Awang Tengah's wife Datuk Dayang Morliah Datuk Awang Daud, Lawas Member of Parliament Dato Henry Sum Agong, Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Awangku Jinal Abedin Dato Pengiran Jawa, Limbang Division Resident Yunus Tambi and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) Director Datu Ubaidillah Latip.
Meanwhile, Awang Tengah, who is also the Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development and Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment of Sarawak, said that RM160 million had been allocated under the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) for the improvement of school buildings and educational infrastructure in Limbang and Lawas.
He said that the move was among the Sarawak government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the education sector for children in the northern part of the state.
In addition, he called on all heads of departments, agencies, and implementing bodies to provide accurate and honest input when planning development projects.
'It is important that the implementation of projects delivers maximum impact to the people and avoids waste or mismanagement of public funds,' he said.
He urged department heads not to follow superiors blindly and instead speak up when necessary.
'We have the right to offer input. For example, we know the current SK Ulu Merapok site floods multiple times a year. If there are plans to build a new block, we should propose a more suitable location.
'If the budget is insufficient for full development, don't waste funds. Start with one block and develop in stages. It is our responsibility to make meaningful recommendations,' he added. Awang Tengah Ali Hasan lead rural water supply water supply issue
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