KUCHING: The Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) has approved allocations amounting to millions of ringgit to implement a series of sensitive development projects, including critical water supply improvements in Opar and Tanjung Datu.
GKCDA special administrative officer Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said the projects were identified by elected representatives from the two constituencies as part of ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing basic infrastructure issues affecting rural and semi-urban communities within the Greater Kuching area.
He described clean water supply as a “sensitive” project area, as access to safe and reliable water is a fundamental human right and a basic necessity for survival, health, sanitation and the prevention of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.
“Locals or the people at large are highly sensitive to lack of clean water because it directly threatens survival, causes deadly waterborne diseases and hinders daily hygiene and nutrition.
“More often, lack of clean water supply used to become a major intensifying political issue, especially during the election,” he said.
Ik Pahon said GKCDA supports any effort made by the elected representatives to tackle or resolve the lack of clean water supply issue in their constituencies and would ensure projects identified would be implemented.
He said water supply remains one of the most pressing concerns raised by residents, particularly in outlying areas where access and reliability have been inconsistent for years.
“As such, GKCDA has prioritised allocations for upgrading upon the recommendation or proposal made by the elected representatives, extending and strengthening water infrastructure to ensure sustainable and long-term solutions,” he said.
He noted that Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang had allocated about RM14.4 million from his allocation under GKCDA to upgrade and connect the villages that do not have treated water supply with the gravity feed system.
“More than 20 villages in Opar had benefited from the GKCDA fund in terms of clean water supply by gravity feed.
“With due respect, Opar was a stronghold for the opposition for about 10 years before 2021, so that could be one of the reasons why many villages did not have clean water supply.
“Luckily we have GKCDA and with Billy, being an elected representative of the ruling Gabungan Party Sarawak (GPS) state government, he has got the ways to at least resolve the water issue with the gravity feed projects,” he said.
He added that most of the gravity feed projects in Opar had been completed.
Ik Pahon said Tanjong Datu assemblyman Azizul Annuar Adenan had channelled about RM15 million from his GKCDA allocations to improve the treated water distribution in his constituency.
He said Azizul had put a lot of his allocation in replacing old pipelines to ensure safe drinking water, prevent costly water damage from leaks, and restore water pressure in his area.
He believed that the water supply projects in Opar and Tanjung Datu are expected to bring direct benefits to thousands of residents by improving daily living conditions, supporting economic activities and enhancing overall public health.
GKCDA was established to coordinate development projects across Greater Kuching, with a strong focus on infrastructure, utilities and public facilities that directly impact the people.
The Sarawak government has allocated RM1.5 billion to GKCDA. Constituencies covered under GKCDA are Tanjung Datu, Opar, Tasik Biru, Serembu, Mambong, Tarat, Tebedu, Bukit Semuja, Kedup and part of Balai Ringin.
