MP calls for urgent measures to tackle Sibu’s ageing pipeline crisis

SIBU (April 2): Gabungan Party Sarawak (GPS) elected representatives should raise the recurring water supply disruption issue in Sibu at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), said Deputy Dewan Speaker and Lanang MP Alice Lau.

She said that under the Federal Constitution, water supply management falls under state jurisdiction, placing full responsibility on the Sarawak government for statewide planning, pipeline maintenance, and upgrading works.

Lau made the call following another water supply disruption that affected Sibu yesterday.

The Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd (SWSB) Central Region, in a statement on its official Facebook page, said the incident was caused by a burst involving a 600mm mild steel cement-lined (MSCL) underground pipeline near the traffic lights at Jalan Tong Sang and Jalan Wong King Huo.

She said the disruption forced many food and beverage operators to suspend operations, while residents’ daily routines were significantly affected, impacting approximately 70 per cent of Sibu users.

Lau noted that technical challenges during repairs delayed the process, extending the initially estimated 12-hour repair period to about 22 hours before welding was completed.

“This clearly reflects the severity of the aging main pipeline problem,” she said, stressing that such incidents are not isolated but stem from long-standing, accumulated issues.

In recent years, frequent water disruptions across Sibu have forced residents to endure an unstable water supply.

Lau said this basic necessity has yet to be adequately addressed by the state’s Ministry of Utility, which she described as unacceptable.

She cited a previous case earlier this year in the Dudong area, where a water disruption lasted nearly a week.

Lau further pointed out that SWSB only identified the root cause on the fifth day, highlighting shortcomings in response mechanisms and management efficiency.

“The repeated pipe bursts at the same location indicate that authorities have long relied on temporary patchwork solutions rather than comprehensive, long-term planning,” she said.

She added that without replacing ageing main pipelines, such repairs would only delay future breakdowns.

“The problem will not disappear — it will accumulate and worsen, with the people of Sibu ultimately bearing the consequences,” she said.

Lau stressed that water supply issues are not purely technical but also reflect management practices and accountability.

She criticised the response during disruptions, including inadequate water tanker distribution that failed to effectively ease public hardship.

She urged the Sarawak government and relevant agencies to address the root causes and ensure clear accountability for long-term shortcomings.

Among her proposals were the immediate release of a comprehensive assessment report on Sibu’s water supply system, a clear timeline for replacing ageing pipelines, improved emergency response efficiency, and stronger accountability measures to restore public confidence.

At the same time, she acknowledged the efforts of frontline repair workers, thanking them for working tirelessly throughout the incident.

“While their contributions should not be overlooked, they should not be used to mask systemic issues,” she said, adding that a stable water supply is a fundamental right of the people.

She urged the state government to take practical and effective action to resolve these issues rather than relying on broad plans that fail to deliver tangible results.