Kuching: Pending Assemblywoman Violet Yong Wui Wui has raised serious concerns over the management of Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd, citing operational chaos, leadership gaps, and unresolved staff welfare issues months after the merger of Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB), and LAKU Management.
During her debate on the State Budget 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today, Yong highlighted that the merger, launched on 1 August under SFS Incorporated, was intended to provide better service, cleaner water, and stronger management.
“KWB and SWB were said to be dissolved, but the reality on the ground appears far from the promises made during the grand launch,” she said.
Website confusion and staffing discrepancies
Yong said that the official Sarawak Water website has yet to be updated, and its introduction only mentions “formerly known as LAKU Management Sdn Bhd,” leaving out KWB and SWB entirely.
“How can a merger involving three major agencies end up looking like a mere rebranding exercise of one? The website also claims Sarawak Water has ‘about 500 staff’. But the Minister of Utility and Telecommunication had earlier stated during the launch that 1,214 out of 1,248 staff agreed to join the new entity.
“So I must ask: Where did the rest go? How did 1,200 staff shrink to 500 staff? This huge discrepancy exposes poor planning and weak coordination,” she said.
According to Yong, the staff list online is almost entirely from LAKU.
“Where are the staff from KWB and SWB?” she asked. She noted that the corporate profile remains incomplete, with the management team still under construction and no organisation chart.
“The website itself is in disarray, mirroring the state of the organisation. I also learned that there is still no confirmed CEO, only an acting one until today.
“Is Sarawak truly so lacking in qualified leaders that we cannot appoint a CEO to run our statewide water supply? I understand that only two people are effectively holding the fort of the top management, and no full management meeting has taken place since the launch.
“The three entities met only once during a town hall session. After that, everything became unclear. How does the state expect stability, planning, or accountability when the leadership structure itself is missing?” she asked.
Operational challenges
Yong pointed out ongoing operational issues: residents in Kuching are still receiving KWB application forms with Sarawak Water stamps, and some areas in Sibu have experienced days without water.
“Operations still carry the old names. This alone shows Sarawak Water is not ready. Four months after the grand launch, even the basics remain in pieces. This is why our water problems continue. Muddy water. Dirty water. Constant leaks. Frequent interruptions. In Sibu, some areas had no water for days.
“In Kuching, there are only two functioning tankers – one small, one large in operation. The rest are out of service. How can Sarawak Water handle water emergencies for a growing city with just two tankers? When ART construction repeatedly damages water pipes in Tabuan Jaya or Jalan Canna, disruptions occur instantly – yet there is not even sufficient tanker support to supply affected residents,” she said.
Staff welfare concerns
Staff welfare has also become a major issue. Yong said, “The Minister promised staff that their welfare would be protected. Yet overtime payments have not been made since August. Staff who worked nights, weekends, and odd hours to ensure residents have water have not been paid their dues. Work has been done; please pay the staff what they deserve.”
Yong said permanent staff nearing retirement are reportedly unsure if their pensions are secure, while contract staff have yet to see a promised 20% salary increase under the public service remuneration system.
She added that senior personnel frequently travel while ground staff remain uninformed about organisational direction, leaving employees anxious, confused, and feeling leaderless.
Call for government intervention
Yong urged the state government to intervene. “The purpose of the consolidation was to create efficiency, integration, and reliability, paving the way for 100% clean water coverage by 2030. But Sarawak Water today is nowhere close to achieving that vision,” she said. “The Minister may travel as he wishes, but he must first put his own house in order.”
She also highlighted service complaints, noting that business owners in the 10th Mile area have suffered low water pressure for two years despite repeated reports.
“For two years, and the problem still cannot be resolved. That is unacceptable by any standard,” Yong said.
