Latest news with #UtilityandTelecommunication
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Minister: 4,662 telco tower structures completed to date
File photo for illustration purposes KUCHING (May 26): A total of 4,662 telecommunication tower structures, including those on buildings, have been completed to date, said Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. He said this was an increase of 81 towers when compared to the 4,581 completed towers which were reported in the last sitting in November last year. 'Of the completed towers, 4,446 or 95 per cent are on-air while the remaining 216 (5 per cent) will be operational in stages by the end of 2025. 'To date, the internet service coverage has increased to 90.2 per cent compared to 84.8 per cent as reported in the last DUN sitting,' he said in his ministerial winding-up speech today. Julaihi also updated the august House on the Sarawak Linking Urban, Rural and Nation (Saluran) initiative where to date, the state government has allocated RM2.3 billion as an intervention measure to accelerate internet coverage expansion in rural areas under this initiative. 'A key component of Saluran is the construction of Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) towers. 'So far, 585 out of 618 SMART towers have been completed of which 18 of them are repeaters. Of the completed towers, 480 are operational, while the rest will be fully operational in stages by the fourth quarter of 2025,' he said. On the federal government's National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (Jendela), Julaihi said a total of 906 out of 909 telecommunications towers have been completed under the initiative's first phase. 'Of this number, 795 towers are operational with 4G services, while the remainder will be fully operational in stages by the fourth quarter of 2025.' For 5G services, he said 574 out of 576 5G sites were now in operation with the remaining expected to be operational by the second quarter of 2025. DUN sitting internet coverage julaihi narawi lead telecommunication tower
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Upgraded Bayong plant in Sarikei boasts 100 MLD capacity, new intake point and pipelines
Julaihi (front fourth right) is briefed about the Bayong Water Treatment Plant. SARIKEI (May 8): The upgraded Bayong Water Treatment Plant here has a new intake point along the Gerugu River, said Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. The Minister of Utility and Telecommunication said the plant sources its raw water from the Gerugu Dam, which has a yield of approximately 140 million litres. 'The Bayong plant has now been fully upgraded and boasts a capacity of 100 MLD (million litres per day), up from its previous 70 MLD, with an additional 30 MLD added through recent works. 'The upgrade, which included the construction of a new intake point and installation of new pipelines, cost RM68.4 million, fully funded by the Sarawak government,' he said during a visit yesterday. Separately, he said work to upgrade the Julau Water Treatment Plant is progressing steadily and expected to increase the facility's water production capacity to 4.7 MLD once completed by the end of this year. He said the new water treatment plant, currently under construction, will have a capacity of 3.4 MLD. 'Located adjacent to the existing plant which currently produces 1.3 MLD, the addition will significantly enhance water supply,' he said. He added the project, fully funded by the Sarawak government, comes at a cost of nearly RM26 million. Meanwhile, Meluan assemblyman Rolland Duat Jubin voiced deep concern over the ongoing water supply crisis in Julau, describing the situation as critical and having dragged on for far too long. He called on the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) to be more efficient and proactive in resolving the long-standing water issues affecting the Meluan constituency. 'The residents have been patient but are in urgent need of a sustainable solution,' said Rolland. Julaihi instructed JBALB to give the utmost commitment in addressing the matter and stressed that the department must remain responsive to public complaints and act swiftly to implement necessary measures. Among those present were Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing, Wong Zee Yeng – who represented Sarikei MP Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, JBALB state director Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan, and Sarikei Deputy Resident Badjuri Bidin.
The Star
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Sarawak welcomes AWS investment to drive digital transformation by 2030
State Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi (centre) sharing a light moment with AWS regional managing director for worldwide public sector in Asean (second left) at the AWS Sarawak public sector innovation forum in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: Sarawak welcomes investment from Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate its digital transformation toward achieving high-income status by 2030, says Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi. The state Utility and Telecommunication Minister said the US-based company could contribute to Sarawak's digital economy with its plans to invest US$6.2bil (about RM26bil) in Malaysia through 2038. "With our digital transformation underway, please allocate part of your US$6.2bil to Sarawak. "If we can expedite digital transformation, especially in the rural areas, it will help us achieve our target," he said at the AWS Sarawak public sector innovation forum on Monday (May 5). AWS, the cloud computing division of Inc, launched the AWS (Malaysia) Asia-Pacific Region on August 20204 with a 15-year investment plan to boost the country's digital economy. Julaihi also said Sarawak aimed to fully digitalise state government services by 2030. "As of 2024, we have established a baseline of 1,106 government services, with 54.7% already digitally enabled," he said.
Borneo Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Salim Water Treatment Plant upgrading works ahead of schedule, expect completion in June 2027, says Julaihi
Julaihi (third left) reviews the progress of the water treatment plant upgrade during the site visit today. SIBU (April 25): The upgrading project of the Salim Water Treatment Plant in Sibu has reached 17.96 per cent completion, ahead of the initial target of 6.45 per cent, said Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. He said the upgrade will double the plant's capacity from 150 million litres per day (MLD) to 300 MLD, enabling a 30 per cent water reserve margin for Sibu and its surrounding areas once completed. 'We've seen steady progress since the project started in May 2024. 'This project is not only progressing smoothly but is also ahead of schedule. We expect it to be completed as planned and capable of supplying clean water to 350,000 residents in the Sibu area,' he told reporters after a working visit to the site at Muka Sauk, Sibu Water Board (SWB), Jalan Stabau today. Julaihi said the RM291 million project, funded entirely by the Sarawak government, carries a contract value of RM269 million. It is part of the Sarawak Water Supply Master Plan and supports the implementation of the state's water grid system aimed at interconnecting water treatment plants across the state. At present, Julaihi said Sibu is served by two main plants — Salim (150 MLD) and Bukit Lima (45 MLD) — with a combined capacity of 195 MLD. However, daily demand has already surpassed this, reaching 200 MLD, resulting in both plants operating beyond capacity. 'As a long-term solution, the Sarawak government has also approved RM1.1 billion for the replacement and upgrade of old pipes across the state, covering 2,740 km of pipelines, to be implemented over five years. 'For the Sibu Division alone, RM170 million has been allocated,' he said. He also noted that a new water supply system at Sungai Sadit has been completed and will help boost Sibu's water reserve margin. 'This isn't an overnight solution. It's a long-term plan we're executing through the water master plan and the Sarawak water grid system,' said the Sebuyau assemblyman. Meanwhile, SWB clarified that the total project cost of RM291.4 million includes construction, land acquisition for the raw water pipeline, site supervision, and professional fees. Key components of the project include the Phase 2 upgrade of the raw water intake from 150 MLD to 300 MLD; construction of an 8 km new raw water pipeline using 1.4m diameter mild steel pipes; upgrading of the Salim Treatment Plant from 150 MLD to 300 MLD; modification of existing components in Salim Treatment Plant Phases 1 and 2 (sludge bridge, generator set, filters); and construction of a 4km treated water pipeline (2km with 1.6m diameter and 2km with 1.2m diameter). 'The project was awarded to contractor Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd through an open tender and granted on April 18, 2024, with a contract value of RM269,099,341.13. 'Construction works began on May 20, 2024, and are expected to be completed by June 25, 2027,' the board stated. Upon completion, the upgraded plant will be capable of meeting the water supply needs of 350,000 residents in Sibu, Kanowit, Selangau, Maradong, and Rassau through to 2036. Accompanying Julaihi during the site visit were the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication, Datu Jafri Lias; Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) director, Ir Ts Awg Mohammad Fadillah Awg Redzuan; and SWB general manager Abdul Malik Abdullah. julaihi narawi Salim Water Treatment Plant Sibu
