Sibu: Lanang MP Alice Lau Kiong Yieng has called on the Sarawak government and relevant agencies to address the root causes of Sibu’s ongoing water supply issues, stressing the need for accountability over what she described as long-term mismanagement.
She proposed several measures, including the immediate release of a comprehensive assessment report on Sibu’s water supply system, a clear timeline for replacing aging pipelines, improved emergency response efficiency, and stronger accountability mechanisms to restore public confidence.
At the same time, Lau acknowledged the efforts of frontline repair workers, thanking them for working tirelessly throughout recent disruptions.
“While their contributions should not be overlooked, they should not be used to mask systemic issues. I call on the GPS state assemblymen to take responsibility by bringing the Sibu water disruption issue to the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.
“Under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, water supply management falls under state jurisdiction. As such, the GPS government bears full responsibility for statewide water planning, pipe maintenance, and upgrading works and must not evade this duty,” she said in a statement.
Her remarks came after a burst incident involving a 600mm MSCL underground water pipeline near the traffic lights at Jalan Tong Sang and Jalan Wong King Huo in Sibu.
Lau explained that technical challenges during the repair process caused delays, extending the initially estimated 12-hour repair work to approximately 22 hours before welding was completed.
“This clearly reflects the severity of the aging main pipeline problem. According to a Facebook page update by the Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd (Central Region), the incident affected about 70% of Sibu users.
“Many food and beverage operators were forced to suspend business due to the lack of water supply, while residents’ daily lives were also significantly disrupted,” she said.
She pointed out that such major pipeline bursts in Sibu are not isolated incidents but rather the result of long-standing accumulated issues.
“In recent years, frequent water disruptions have occurred across various parts of Sibu, forcing residents to endure an unstable water supply.
“Basic necessity has yet to be properly resolved by the Sarawak government’s Ministry of Utility, which is unacceptable,” she said.
She cited an example earlier this year, when the Dudong area experienced a water disruption lasting nearly a week.
“The Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd (Central Region) only identified the root cause on the fifth day, highlighting clear shortcomings in response mechanisms and management efficiency.
“Water supply issues are not merely technical challenges but also reflect management attitude and accountability,” she said.
Lau stressed that a stable water supply is a fundamental right of the people.
“Residents of Sibu should not have to live in constant uncertainty of potential water disruptions. The Sarawak government should take practical and effective action to resolve these basic issues, rather than repeatedly promoting grand plans that fail to deliver tangible benefits,” she said.
