Julaihi: Rural Electricity Supply Project in Sarawak reaches 72 pct completion

KUCHING (Nov 18): The progress of the Rural Electricity Supply Project (BELB) has reached 72 per cent, with 152 projects completed, said Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi.

He said 50 projects, or 23.7 per cent, are currently under construction, while nine projects, or 4.3 per cent, are at the tender stage and expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025.

“To date, the overall electricity coverage in Sarawak stands at 99.4 per cent, with rural areas achieving 98.6 per cent coverage,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.

He noted that Sarawak requires over RM4 billion to achieve full coverage and improve electricity supply in line with the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.

He said the state government has allocated RM2.38 billion under Alternative Funding for the implementation of rural electrification projects, encompassing 211 initiatives.

Furthermore, the Sarawak government has also approved an allocation of RM50.5 million to carry out three more projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).

“Two of these projects are currently under construction, while one is in the tender stage, with work expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025,” he added.