Latest news with #UtilityandTelecommunications
Borneo Post
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Orang Ulu heritage shines at 2025 Datun Julut, sape competition in Miri
Liwan strumming a Sape to mark the start of the competition, witnessed by others present. MIRI (June 13): The rich cultural heritage of the Orang Ulu community was on full display last night during the 2025 Datun Julut and Traditional Sape Competition. Held at the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations Sarawak Malaysia (Forum) Cultural Centre, the event was part of the two-day Gawai Tradition Carnival. Sarawak Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Datuk Liwan Lagang in his officiating address, underscored the importance of preserving traditional art forms such as the Datun Julut dance and the melodious sounds of the Sape, which he described as vital symbols of the Orang Ulu identity and legacy. 'These are not just artistic performances. Datun Julut is a symbolic dance of gratitude, with graceful movements adorned in bird feathers, accompanied by the Sape, a soulful voice of tradition that stirs our spiritual being,' he said. He emphasised that the preservation of such cultural expressions is a shared responsibility, particularly for the younger generation, who will inherit both the land and its traditions. 'The beauty of Orang Ulu culture reflects the uniqueness of Sarawak, with its rich ethnic diversity and deeply rooted traditions. These must be safeguarded with deep respect, lest they fade with time,' he added. Liwan also highlighted that celebrations like Gawai are more than festive occasions. 'They serve as bridges of unity, bringing people of all backgrounds together through mutual appreciation of culture. 'Through this competition, we ignite the spirit of Segulai Sejalai – walking together in unity,' he said. The event saw participation from 20 groups competing in both the Datun Julut and Traditional Sape categories. In the Datun Julut category, team Julut Abung Apau Julan emerged as the champion, followed by Telang Usan Mada Lasan as first runner-up and Liwang Edang in third place. In the Traditional Sape competition, the duo of Garry Sandom Raymond and Aaron Alan Robert claimed the top prize. The sibling pair Robin Jalong Lusat and Yosua Lenjau Lusat secured second place, while Batu Emang and Logan Suli finished third. Also present at the event were the carnival's joint chairmen, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration, and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala; Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, and Baram MP Dato Anyi Ngau. Datun Julut miri Orang Ulu sape
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak's rural water supply coverage now at 70.5%
KUCHING: Water supply coverage in Sarawak's rural areas has increased to 70.5 per cent, up from 60.9 per cent in 2018, according to state Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi. He said that in urban areas, the coverage rate has reached 99 per cent, bringing the overall water supply coverage in Sarawak to 85.4 per cent to date. 'My ministry is actively developing an integrated water supply system across Sarawak, connecting the Southern, Central, and Northern regions,' he said during a winding-up session for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today. He said that in the southern region, which covers the Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, and Betong divisions, the water supply grid system involves the construction and upgrading of nine main water treatment plants, along with the installation of approximately 1,081 kilometres (km) of grid pipelines. 'So far, 311 km of pipelines have been completed, while the remaining 770 km are either under construction or in the planning stages to fully connect the southern region to the central region,' he said. He said that in the central region, covering the divisions of Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Kapit, work is ongoing to construct and upgrade 11 main water treatment plants, alongside the installation of 1,143 km of water grid pipelines. 'So far, 125 km of pipelines have been completed in the central region, while the remaining 1,018 km are currently under construction or scheduled for implementation to connect this area to the northern region,' he said, adding that the Limbang and Lawas divisions will be included in the project once the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) is completed. For the water supply grid system in the northern region (Bintulu, Miri and Limbang divisions), Julaihi said it involves the construction and upgrading of 12 main water treatment plants and the installation of an estimated 569 km of water grid pipelines. 'To date, 23 km of grid pipelines have been completed in the northern region, while another 546 km are under construction or planned for implementation. Once the entire grid system is completed, Sarawak's water supply coverage will be more comprehensive and resilient, ensuring long-term sustainability,' he added.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Sarawak's Rural Water Supply Coverage Now At 70.5 Pct
KUCHING, May 26 (Bernama) -- Water supply coverage in Sarawak's rural areas has increased to 70.5 per cent, up from 60.9 per cent in 2018, according to state Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi. He said that in urban areas, the coverage rate has reached 99 per cent, bringing the overall water supply coverage in Sarawak to 85.4 per cent to date. 'My ministry is actively developing an integrated water supply system across Sarawak, connecting the Southern, Central, and Northern regions,' he said during a winding-up session for his ministry at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today. He said that in the southern region, which covers the Kuching, Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, and Betong divisions, the water supply grid system involves the construction and upgrading of nine main water treatment plants, along with the installation of approximately 1,081 kilometres (km) of grid pipelines. 'So far, 311 km of pipelines have been completed, while the remaining 770 km are either under construction or in the planning stages to fully connect the southern region to the central region,' he said. He said that in the central region, covering the divisions of Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah and Kapit, work is ongoing to construct and upgrade 11 main water treatment plants, alongside the installation of 1,143 km of water grid pipelines. 'So far, 125 km of pipelines have been completed in the central region, while the remaining 1,018 km are currently under construction or scheduled for implementation to connect this area to the northern region,' he said, adding that the Limbang and Lawas divisions will be included in the project once the Sabah-Sarawak Link Road (SSLR) is completed. For the water supply grid system in the northern region (Bintulu, Miri and Limbang divisions), Julaihi said it involves the construction and upgrading of 12 main water treatment plants and the installation of an estimated 569 km of water grid pipelines. 'To date, 23 km of grid pipelines have been completed in the northern region, while another 546 km are under construction or planned for implementation. Once the entire grid system is completed, Sarawak's water supply coverage will be more comprehensive and resilient, ensuring long-term sustainability,' he added.
Borneo Post
08-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Lichok water treatment plant construction ahead of schedule, expects completion this Oct
Julaihi (left) with others at the new Lichok Water Treatment Plant site on Wednesday. – Photo via Facebook/Julaihi Narawi KUCHING (May 8): Residents in Kabong can look forward to a major boost in treated water supply when the new Lichok Water Treatment Plant is completed this October. Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, in a Facebook post, said the RM29 million plant which began construction last February will have a treatment capacity of 10 million litres per day (MLD). 'Currently, the existing Lichok plant produces 15 MLD of treated water, with the ability to increase up to 19 MLD during peak demand. 'Once the new plant is operational, the combined output will rise to 25 MLD, or up to 29 MLD if needed, ensuring a more stable and sufficient water supply for Kabong District,' he said following a site visit to the construction site with a team from the Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) yesterday (May 7). Accompanying him were Kabong assemblyman Dato Mohd Chee Kadir, Kalaka assemblyman Mohamad Duri, Krian assemblyman Friday Belik, State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications Secretary Datu Jafri Lias, and JBALB Director Awg Fadilla Awg Raduan among others. He noted that the project is progressing well, with construction reaching 42 per cent completion currently, exceeding the projected schedule of 32 per cent. 'The Acute Water Supply System allows the project to be completed in less than a year. The entire initiative is fully funded by the Sarawak government,' he added. Julaihi explained that treated water from the Lichok plant is channelled to two main elevated storage tanks – one at Bukit Lebur with a capacity of 4.5 million litres and another in Kabong town with 3 million litres – before being distributed to homes and businesses. 'This development follows the near-completion of Package 1 of the Kabong District Water Supply Project, which includes 12 key components such as the construction of elevated water tanks and distribution pipelines. 'The package, with a budget of RM107.5 million, is also state-funded,' said Julaihi. jbalb julaihi narawi Lichok Water Treatment Plant
Borneo Post
05-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak exceeds digitalised govt services milestone ahead of PCDS 2030 target
Julaihi delivering his keynote address at the event. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 5): Sarawak has established a baseline of 1,106 government services with 54.7 per cent already digitally enabled last year in an effort to digitalise government services, said Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi. The Minister for Utility and Telecommunications said this had already surpassed the 50 per cent target set under the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'This marks a strong step forward in delivering seamless, efficient and accessible digital services to businesses and citizens, reflecting our commitment towards an inclusive, digital government,' he said in his keynote speech at the Sarawak Public Sector Innovation Forum held at a hotel here today. Julaihi said digital government initiatives aim to support Sarawak's development goals by delivering seamless, mobile and user-friendly public services. This, he added, emphasises rethinking service delivery through data, automation and emerging technologies – while also strengthening digital infrastructure, skills and talent, cybersecurity and cross-agency collaboration. 'The public sector needs to be 'digital by design' to fully adapt to and reap the benefits of the digital age. 'We need to embrace digital technology and data to transform the interaction with the users of public services, including policy design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation,' he added. Also present at the event were Centre for Technical Excellence Sarawak (Centexs) chief executive officer Dato Syeed Mohd Hussein Wan Abdul Rahman and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Asean regional managing director Eric Conrad. digitalisation government services julaihi narawi
