Tiong pans Sarawak utility ministry over Sibu Jaya water woes

The Dudong assemblyman said these water woes were not isolated cases but a decades-long issue that has affected the residents’ quality of life.

Tiong, the Progressive Democratic Party president, urged the state ministry to come up with a concrete plan immediately to resolve the issue.

“The ministry should not merely talk without taking action. This issue is not only unresolved, but is worsening.

“The water supply disruptions have forced most residents to purchase mineral water to cook. And when the disruptions prolong, food and beverage traders cannot operate as usual and lose their source of income,” he said in a Facebook post.

Tiong, who is also the federal tourism, arts and culture minister, said he has raised this issue several times in the Sarawak legislative assembly but no action appeared to have been taken.

He pointed out that state utility minister Julaihi Narawi had promised in 2024 to upgrade a water treatment facility in Sibu and other water infrastructure in Sibu Jaya.

“The people are still dealing with water supply issues till now. Was it just an empty promise to ease public anger at the time?” he said, adding that Sibu Jaya residents were demanding a meeting with Julaihi.

Tiong also appealed to Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg to look into the issue and intervene.

“We often tout ‘Sarawak first’ and promise that we will not neglect the state’s basic infrastructure. Now, the people are demanding that we keep our promise and resolve their prolonged water woes,” he said.