Water supply disruption issue a concern for residents of Sibujaya

SIBU, April 5 2026: The issue of the prolonged water supply disruption in Sibujaya continued to be a concern when local residents took the opportunity to voice their grievances during a goodwill visit by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culturei Tiong King Sing (picture) on Saturday.

The visit, in conjunction with the festive season, provided an opportunity for residents to share the difficulties they faced, illustrating the critical importance of solving infrastructure issues in the area.

 

“The water disruption has caused the people to live in hardship! Most residents are now forced to buy mineral water from supermarkets for cooking.

 

“Not only that, when the disruption continues, traders are also unable to do business as usual and their livelihoods continue to be affected.

 

“More outrageously, I have also received complaints that even though there is no water, the water meter is still running and charges are still being levied. There is no water but the meter is still moving, what is the logic behind this?” said Tiong in a statement today.

 

He, who is also the Dudong State Assemblyman, stressed that the frequency of the disruptions is now seen as a pressing issue that directly affects the well-being of the community throughout Sibujaya.

 

He explained that the matter had previously been raised in the State Legislative Assembly in November 2023 as an effort to find a solution.

 

Therefore, he hoped that the Sarawak Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunications (MUT) could detail an effective action plan to ensure that water supply stability could be achieved for the benefit of the residents in the long term.

 

“So far, I understand that the most affected group is the residents of low-cost houses and low-cost apartments.

 

“Their lives were already difficult; now the situation is getting worse, as if these people are being pushed into a corner with no way out,” he said.

 

Meanwhile, he also conveyed the hopes of the residents who wanted to see direct involvement from the ministry, including a proposed meeting with the Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Julaihi Narawi to personally review the actual situation on the ground.

 

“This problem has been going on for too long! It cannot be postponed any longer! And it absolutely should not be postponed.

 

“The people hope that the authorities can resolve this issue comprehensively and not let the people continue to live in worry and uncertainty, not knowing when water disruptions will occur again,” he said.

 

 

Comprehensive study needs to be conducted before granting third generation Chinese the Bumuputera status, former senator says

KUCHING, April 5 2026: A comprehensive study needs to be conducted before any proposal is agreed upon to grant Bumiputera status to the third generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent, former Senator Abun Sui Anyit (picture) has stressed.

He said at this stage, the proposal is premature  as well as for the Sarawak government to issue any official response.

“Several fundamental questions need to be addressed, such as who are the representatives of the Dayak and Malay communities who are said to be in agreement with the proposal and what form of study or consultation has been carried out?” he asked in a statement today when responding to Julau MP Larry Sng’s proposal.

Abun Sui, who is also PKR Hulu Rajang branch chief, also wanted to know who were the parties involved in the study, and what were the detailed findings.

“Issues affecting the status of Bumiputeras are not trivial matters, but are closely related to the Constitution, customary rights, history and sensitivities of the community in Sarawak.

“In this regard, any proposal must be supported by transparent data, credible research, and inclusive consultation, not merely general statements,” Abun Sui, who is a practising lawyer, said.

“Until clear and detailed information is presented, it is more appropriate that we refrain from making any premature conclusions or taking a position,” he stressed.

Recently, Larry, who is also Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president, has urged the state government to grant Bumiputera status to the third generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent.

He declared that if Raghad Kurdi, wife of former Governor Abdul Taib Mahmud, and her two childre, being Syrians, could be granted the Bumiutera status, despite being in Sarawak for a short period, there was no reason why the Chinese, who have lived in Sarawak for over 100 years, could not be accorded the Bumiputera status.

State rights activist Peter John Jaban warned against granting the indigenous status to the third generation Chinese, saying that it was not that easy to grant the status as it involved customs, history and the origins of the indigenous communities while PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stressed that granting the status must comply with the provisions of the Federal and State Constitutions.