Julaihi urges faster repairs to damaged Kuching-Samarahan Expressway pipeline

KOTA SAMARAHAN (Oct 26): Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi has urged for expedited repairs to the damaged pipeline along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway to minimise further inconvenience to residents.

In a report by TV Sarawak, he instructed the mobilisation of eight mobile water tankers – six from the Kuching Water Board (KWB) and two from the Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) – to provide around-the-clock water assistance to affected residents.

Expressing his regret over the situation, Julaihi called on contractors, particularly those involved in the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project, to exercise greater caution to prevent damage to utility infrastructures.

“I request the relevant contractors to be more careful when doing work so as not to damage the water supply pipeline, because when there is damage to our distribution pipe, the effect is very immense,” he told a press conference after a visit to the location of the damaged line today.

He noted that the public may not be aware of the reasons behind the water supply disruptions and might mistakenly blame the KWB, when, in fact, the damage occurred due to the actions of a third party under the supervision of Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd.

“I request that when they are carrying out their work, they contact the KWB or other related agencies first so that they can really identify and avoid the pipeline that is (in the ground) on the route,” he added.

If the current number of water tankers proves insufficient, the minister assured that his ministry would request additional tankers from other agencies and strategically position them for easier access by residents.

Many consumers in Samarahan have been experiencing prolonged water shortages since October 25 following the damage to a pipeline along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway.

A notice issued by the KWB said a contractor of the KUTS had damaged a 600mm Ductile Iron pipeline, causing water interruption to residents along the Jalan Kuching-Samarahan Expressway, Jalan Kampung Tanjung Bako, Kampung Binyuk, Midway Crescent, Uni Garden, Kampung Segintin, the Sarawak Heart Centre and surrounding areas since 11am on Nov 25.

Previous notices from KWB stated that water supply would resume gradually from 9pm on Friday night and 5am on Saturday morning.

In a statement, Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd confirmed that the company and its contractors are working closely with KWB to address the water supply disruption and conduct necessary repairs to the damaged pipeline.

The issue arose when a sub-contractor inadvertently damaged a water line during utility relocation works for the construction of the Blue Line of the KUTS project.

Kota Samarahan MP Datuk Rubiah Wang, who also participated in the site visit, noted that the damage was caused by a Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) machine operated by the contractor.

She urged affected residents to remain patient as water tankers are being mobilised to provide assistance.

“It is our hope that the contractor will be more careful and thorough, and follow the SOP that has been set so that this kind of incident does not happen again,” she said in a Facebook post.