Sarawak Metro, operator of KUTS, expresses regret for inconvenience caused by water supply disruption in Tabuan Jaya and surrounding areas

KUCHING, May 7 2026:  Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, the operator of Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) has expressed its regret for the inconvenience caused by yesterday's water supply disruption to residents of Tabuan  Jaya, Tabuan Desa, Jalan Wan Alwi and surrounding areas.

 

A statement issued by Sarawak Metro explained that the disruption was caused by an accidental damage to a water pipe during construction works for the Kuching Urban Transportation System (KUTS) project’s Blue Line Package 2, yesterday.

“Sarawak Metro takes the matter very seriously and upon being notified of the incident immediately worked closely with the Blue Line Package 2 contractor – the joint venture company of Perbena Emas Sdn Bhd and CRBC (M) Holdings Sdn Bhd – and Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd to facilitate repair works to restore water supply to the area as swiftly as possible,” the statement said.

It said as construction activities continue to intensify, particularly within the city and residential area, such challenges remain a possibility due to the complexity of works being carried out around existing underground utilities and infrastructure.

“At the Jalan Wan Alwi area, the ongoing construction involves the development of piers for the elevated guideway, as well as a long-span structure crossing the major traffic intersection, which will become one of the significant features of the KUTS project.

“Trial pit works and utilities relocation activities are a necessary part of the construction process,” the statemen said, stating that the utilities relocation works in the area are expected to complete in the next three months, subject to site conditions, utilities coordination, traffic management requirements and approval from the relevant authorities.

The statement also explained that as the KUTS project progresses into a more active phase of construction, Sarawak Metro remains committed to minimising disruptions to public utility services and surrounding communities.

It assured that Sarawak Metro will continue to review and strengthen its operational procedures to further improve coordination among contractors, enhance on-site supervision, and reduce the risk of similar incidents recurring in the future.

“This includes ongoing engagement, comprehensive utility mapping and close coordination with utility providers and their respective contractors, particularly prior to excavation works near identified underground pipes and cables,” the statement said.

It added other measures taken include continuous site inspection and risk assessment as well as preparing the emergency response and rectification readiness for swift mitigating procedures.

The statement also said Sarawak Metro greatly appreciates the cooperation and support extended by the relevant government agencies and utility providers in ensuring the KUTS project is implemented as smoothly and safely as possible.

“Sarawak Metro is also grateful for the patience, understanding and continued support from the public as efforts continue towards developing a modern and sustainable public transport system for Greater Kuching,” the statement concluded.

The water supply disruption started before noon yesterday and was restore before 5am today. 

Batu Lintang rep wants KUTS contractors and Sarawak Water to give full explanation on water supply disruption in Tabuan Jaya and surrounding areas

KUCHING, May 7 2026: Batu Lintang State Legislative Member (SLM) See Chee How has said he will be requesting a full explanation from KUTS contractors and Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd regarding the circumstances surrounding the water supply disruption in Tabuan Jaya, Tabuan Desa and the surrounding areas.

Caption: Batu Lintang SLM See Chee How says his service team is prepared to assist the business community and residents affected by the water supply disruption 

He said based on the information that he has received, the disruption is believed to have been caused by damage to a water pipe during construction works.

“My service team is prepared to assist affected merchants and residents in compiling complaints, records of losses, and other relevant documentation should further legal action or compensation claims become necessary,” he said in a statement, posted on his Facebook.

He said disruption due to the water pipe burst does not appear to be an isolated incident.

He added reports have also been received from various other affected areas experiencing similar disruptions from time to time during the course of the project implementation.

“Repeated incidents of this nature raise serious concerns regarding construction coordination, risk management, and public utility protection measures,” he added.

“Making matter worse, many affected residents and traders have reported difficulties reaching the relevant hotlines during the period of intense distress, including attempts to contact both the KUTS project hotline and the Sarawak Water hotline for updates and assistance.

“During emergencies affecting essential public utilities, communication channels must remain responsive, accessible, and capable of providing timely updates to the public,” he said.

See said following the water disruption incident affecting the surrounding areas during the implementation of the KUTS ART Blue Line project, his service centre has received numerous complaints from residents and local business operators regarding the severe inconvenience and losses suffered from yesterday morning until early this morning.

He added many businesses experienced operational disruptions, while residents were forced to endure hours without water supply for basic daily needs.

“Such incidents should not be taken lightly, especially when they affect the livelihoods and wellbeing of the community,” he said.

Water supply disruption started before noon yesterday and it was only restored just before 5am today.

Chieng Jen to ask Premier Abang Johari on result of feasibility study and cost of construction of new Kuching International Airport

KUCHING, May 7 2026: DAP Padungan State Legislative Member (SLM) Chong Chieng Jen will be asking Premier Abang Johari Openg to state the result of the feasibility study on the proposed new Kuching International Airport and its estimated costs of construction.

 Caption: DAP Padungan rep Chong Chieng Jen has submitted a list of questions to SLA

This is one of the questions that he has submitted to the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) for written replies.

SLA will sit for eight days, starting from May 11 to 20 (excluding Saturday and Sunday).

Chong, who is also Sarawak DAP chairman, has also submitted a question to the premier on the status of the proposed deepsea port at Tanjong Embang and its estimated costs of construction.

He will also be asking Abang Johari to state how much in total has the state government paid to-date for the private jet since 2023 and on what basis was Cempaka Helicopter Corporation Sdn Bhd chosen to supply the  private jet to the state government.

Chong will also be asking the premier to state the list of all debts owed and/or guaranteed payment by the state government and its subsidiaries to the Federal Government, private banks and/or bondholders and the details of such debts including the principal amounts, interest payable, purposes of the debts and repayment terms.

He will also be asking the Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment Awang Tengah Ali Hasan to state approved Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for Sarawak in the years 2024 and 2025 and what percentage of these approved FDI were actually realized.

Chong will also be asking Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development to state whether the state government will extend the Free Tertiary Education (FTES) initiative to Sarawakian students studying in public and private universities other than the four universities owned by the state government.

If the answer is positive, he will want to know when will it be implemented.

 

Bandar Kuching MP expresses regret with another water pipeline burst affecting residents in Tabuan Jaya and surrounding areas

KUCHING, May 7 2026: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has expressed his regret that another water pipeline burst had happened yesterday, caused by KUTS-related construction works, has once again placed residents and businesses in Tabuan Jaya, Stutong, and the Jalan Song area in difficulty, leaving many without water supply for more than 20 hours.

Bandar Kuching MP says KUTS contractors and Sarawak Water must take full responsibility for the water supply disruption 

He said incidents such as this should be avoidable with proper planning, coordination, and execution of construction works.

“KUTS contractors and Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd must bear full responsibility for this recurring issue and seriously consider compensating affected residential areas as well as surrounding businesses for the inconvenience and losses suffered,” he said in a statement.

He said he is not objecting to development projects or public transportation improvements such as the KUTS project, saying that development is important for the future growth of Kuching and Sarawak.

“However, development must be carried out responsibly, with proper planning and safeguards in place to minimise disruptions to the daily lives of the people.

“This is not the first such incident, and unfortunately, I believe it may not be the last if no serious preventive measures are implemented.

“Sarawak Water and KUTS should already have a proper contingency plan in place for incidents like water pipe bursts.

“The priority during such situations must be to ensure that affected residents continue to have access to water supply as quickly as possible,” he said.

Dr Yii said his office has followed up with the relevant Sarawak Water officers regarding areas requiring immediate attention and has requested for water tankers to be mobilised to severely affected locations such as Jalan Bayor Bukit and Tabuan Desa.

“However, I understand that Sarawak Water (Southern Region) currently only has three functioning water tankers, which is clearly insufficient to handle major incidents like this.

“As a result, many residents were forced to wait for hours before receiving access to water supply,” he added.

He asserted that these recurring incidents not only cause major inconvenience to residents but also severely disrupt business operations.

He pointed out that businesses that rely heavily on water supply, including restaurants, coffee shops, hawkers, saloons, and car wash operators, are forced to temporarily halt operations due to the prolonged water disruption.

He said the responsible parties, namely Sarawak Metro, KUTS contractors and Sarawak Water, should work on a proper mechanism to compensate affected residents and businesses for the losses suffered during these repeated water supply disruptions.

“At the same time, stronger preventive measures, better coordination between agencies, and a more effective emergency response system must be put in place to prevent such incidents from becoming a recurring norm for the people of Kuching,” he said.

The water supply was disrupted around 10am yesterday and only restored just before 5am today.