Kuching: The Sarawak Government and Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd have been urged to immediately resolve the persistent low water pressure affecting residents and businesses in Kenyalang Park, the Kenyalang commercial area and Kenyalang Food Centre.
ADUN for Pending Violet Yong Wui Wui said the problem had persisted for nearly three months despite repeated complaints, with residents and business operators continuing to endure severely reduced or unavailable water supply, particularly during the day, with conditions worsening in the evening.
She said the situation was especially difficult for residents living on upper floors, with some unable to wash their clothes at home and forced to send them to laundries.
“Some businesses have even resorted to collecting and storing water in the middle of the night for use the following day,” she said in a statement.
Yong questioned why the problem had remained unresolved for so long, particularly after the Sarawak Government had previously justified the privatisation of water services on the grounds of improving efficiency and service delivery.
“After the takeover by Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd, what has actually improved? If a problem can persist for three months despite repeated complaints, where is the promised efficiency and accountability?” she asked.
She also linked the water problems to disruption caused by the implementation of the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) project, which she said had resulted in damaged water pipelines, repeated water supply interruptions, low water pressure and deteriorating road conditions in affected areas.
Yong said it was unacceptable for residents and businesses to continue bearing the consequences while the Sarawak Government and local authorities appeared unable to resolve the problems.
“The GPS Government is spending billions on mega projects, but what is the use of ART and other grand projects if people cannot even get sufficient water from their taps?
“Development should not be measured simply by how many billions are spent on infrastructure. It should also be measured by whether ordinary people have access to reliable basic services and can go about their daily lives without unnecessary hardship,” she said.
Yong called on Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd and the Sarawak Government to stop treating the issue lightly and take immediate action to restore adequate water pressure in Kenyalang and the surrounding areas.
