Sarawak in process of taking over 79 water supply projects, worth RM3.47 billion, from federal government

PADAWAN, June 24 2026: The state government is in the process of acquiring 79 federal-funded water projects in Sarawak, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Julaihi Narawi said, stressing that the acquisition has obtained approval in principle by the federal cabinet.

Caption: Minister Julaihi Narawi says state government is in the process of taking over 79 water supply projects, worth RM3.47b, from the federal government

He said taking over the 79 water projects, worth RM3.47 billion, is a strategic measure taken to avoid gaps in the state's water distribution system.

He was speaking to reporters during a working visit to Puncak Borneo Acute Water Supply System today.

He said the decision to take over he water supply projects is in line with the Sarawak government's commitment to speed up the implementation of water supply projects based on the state's performance record which recorded a success rate of over 90 per cent in completing related projects.

"The Sarawak government has approved nearly RM7 billion to implement 360 water supply projects throughout the state.

"We want all projects including those funded by the federal government to be completed more efficiently and effectively," he said.

Julaihi said the Punchak Borneo Acute Water Supply System project worth RM12.6 million was completed and began operation in December 2025.

He said the water treatment plant has a production capacity of up to six million litres per day and is currently operating at a rate of four million litres per day, thus providing additional capacity to accommodate future demand growth.

"This project benefits many villages including Kampung Gerung, Kampung Karu, Kampung Gayu, Kampung Bayur, Kampung Jambu, Kampung Sigandar, Kampung Braang Payang, Kampung Serumah, Kampung Bidak, Kampung Krian and Kampung Sira as well as schools in this area," he said.

He added the project is a strategic initiative to ensure a stable and quality supply of treated water that residents can enjoy, especially in highland areas and at the end of the water supply network.

Deputy Minister for Transport Dr Jerip Susil said the project was a solution to the problem of low water pressure previously faced by several villages, including Kampung Jambu which had previously faced interruptions and lack of water supply.

"This is a great success for the people in the Puncak Borneo area and Mambong constituency as a whole," he said.

According to the Mambong Assemblyman, a more stable water supply facility not only improves the quality of life of the residents, but is able to support economic activities, education and community development as a whole.

 

 

 

Sarawak insisting that "tourism" be placed under the power and responsiblities of the state and federal governments

KUCHING,June 24 2026: Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah  said that “tourism” needs to be re-examined to be in line with the principles and understandings agreed upon during the formation of Malaysia in 1963. 

Caption: Tourism Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah  says that "tourism" was not placed under the Federal List, State List or Concurrent List at the formation of Malaysia in 1963

He said that the state government has long time ago wanted “tourism” be placed under the Concurrent List of the Federal Constitution.

He said this is enable the power and responsibilities related to the sector to be shared between the Federal and State governments.

He recalled that “tourism” was never specifically mentioned in the division of power during the formation of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He said that was why he had long proposed that powers related to tourism be handed back to Sarawak, but stressed that the state government had never demanded full control over the sector.

“That is why I have been trying to ask for the tourism power to be handed back but we are not greedy because we have discussed it at the state cabinet level and we do not want tourism to be 100 percent under the state government.

“We want to share, that is why we want tourism to be included in what we call the Concurrent List, which means matters shared between the federal and state governments,” he said at  a press conference after the inauguration of the ‘BIMP-EAGA Tourism Exchange (BETX) 2026’ here today.

He added that based on legal principles, matters not contained in the Federal List, State List or Concurrent List should be considered as matters under the Residual List which are under the jurisdiction of the state government, where tourism is under the Residual List.

Karim explained that the tourism sector has great potential to contribute to the economic growth of the country and states, hence the power-sharing approach is more appropriate than control by one party alone.

On anothermatter, Karim called for regional cooperation under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) be strengthened through the establishment of regional offices in each country involved to ensure that the implementation of the development and economic agenda can be driven more effectively.

He said the move could increase the effectiveness of the implementation of the BIMP-EAGA initiative which has been established since 1994.

He said  BIMP-EAGA can examine the success of the Sarawak Singapore Trade and Tourism Office (STATOS) model which has successfully strengthened Sarawak's trade and tourism relations with foreign countries.

"That's why sometimes I feel that BIMP-EAGA also needs to look at and study how STATOS has developed.

"If from 1994 until now there has still been no regional office, think about how to establish a regional office like in Davao City and other areas.

“STATOS is growing rapidly, and even faster at achieving success,” he said.

He added that the positive developments achieved by STATOS showed that the approach was able to accelerate Sarawak’s trade, investment and tourism promotion efforts abroad.

Putrajaya expanding BUDI Agri-Commodity Programme to Sarawak to help farmers, smallholders cope with high cost of buying fuel

KUCHING, June 24 2026: The federal government is expanding the implementation of the BUDI Agri-Commodity Programme to Sabah and Sarawak to help farmers and smallholders cope with the high cost of purchasing fuel following the implementation of the targeted diesel subsidy mechanism. 

Caption: Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan briefing the media

Second Finance Minister  Amir Hamzah Azizan said the expansion will allow farmers and smallholders in both states to apply for monthly cash assistance through agencies designated by the government. 

According to him, eligible recipients will receive a cash assistance of RM200 a month along with an interim assistance of RM200 a month, making a total of RM400 a month to reduce the burden of operating costs due to the purchase of diesel at market prices. 

“As implemented in Peninsular Malaysia, the BUDI Agri-Commodity initiative will also be expanded to Sabah and Sarawak where farmers and smallholders in both states can submit applications through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ministry of Plantations and Commodities or designated state government agencies. 

“Through the initiative, they are eligible to receive cash assistance of RM200 per month along with an additional interim assistance of RM200, making a total of RM400 per month to reduce the burden of diesel purchase costs at the floating market price,” he said at media briefing session on the implementation of the Diesel Subsidy Targeting Reform today. 

In an effort to ensure that more agri-commodity sector operators in Sabah and Sarawak benefit, the government has also expanded the list of eligibility verification agencies involving various related industry bodies. 

Among the agencies involved are the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Malaysian Rubber Board, National Kenaf and Tobacco Board, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Malaysian Pepper Board, as well as the Sabah Rubber Industry Board and Sarawak Rubber Industry Board.

Amir Hamzah said that the agencies will verify eligibility applicants before assistance is channeled directly through cash transfers every month.

Owners of pick-ups and jeeps can apply for additional 100 litres following implementation of targeting diesel subsidies next month

KUCHING,June 24 2026: Owners of pickup and jeep vehicles in the country can apply for an additional quota of 100 litres following the implementation of the targeting diesel subsidies starting July 1. 

Caption: Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan (left) with Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi at a press conference

Second Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan said the additional 100 litres per month will allow private owners of eligible pickup and jeep diesel vehicles to fill up to 300 litres per month.

He said the additional is expected to be sufficient for the majority of diesel users because based on current estimates, approximately 95 percent of diesel users use less than 300 litres of fuel per month.

"The application can be done through two mechanisms, namely through the portal that has been prepared and opened since yesterday at www.budimadani.gov.my, where applicants only need to confirm basic information such as name, phone number and identity card number and will then be checked with Road Transport Department (JPJ) data to ensure that the applicant is a Malaysian citizen and owns a registered vehicle.
“If the registered vehicle meets the criteria such as a pickup or jeep, the applicant will be eligible to receive an additional quota of 100 litres.

"For those who are not very skilled in using technology or need assistance in the application process, they can come to the nearest Inland Revenue Board (LHDN) or Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) office where officers on duty will assist and guide them to register to obtain the benefit," he said in a media briefing session on the Implementation of the Diesel Subsidy Targeting Reform here today.

Amir Hamzah revealed data findings from January to May this year found that only 0.76 percent of vehicle owners used more than 200 liters per month, which is a key indicator that the quota given by the government is sufficient.
 

However, he clarified that the government has no problem if asked to review this quota as was done for e-hailing drivers for BUDI RON95 before.

“So for now, we will give the system time to be implemented first and see its effectiveness before making any further evaluations or improvements.

“If there are any issues or matters that require further discussion, the government is committed to examining aspects that can be improved because based on previous experience, the government always makes adjustments when there is a clear and reasonable need to do so. That is the approach practiced by the government,” he added.

Touching on the application time limit, he said the government does not impose a specific time period for this purpose, but rather is open all the time according to the changing needs of vehicle owners.