Gift Of Clean Water For Longhouses

In Sarawak, where a vast majority of the longhouses are without basics such as clean water and electricity, the Bakas rural assistance programme has brought much pleasure this Gawai season. 

SRI AMAN: Hundreds of rural dwellers in Sarawak are happily cheering “gayu-guru, gerai nyamai’ (long life, health and prosperity), a traditional Gawai greeting, because clean and regular water supply has finally made its way into their homes.

Some nine longhouses in Sri Aman division are finally savouring the pleasures of clean piped water.

The longhouses are part of 37 beneficiaries of the clean water project under the Bakas programme implemented in Sarawak this year.

The project is the brainchild of the federal-level Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKKLW).

The project was carried out in association with the Sarawak Health Department and the Malaysian Armed Forces, who jointly launched the Clean Water and Environment Cleanliness Programme (Bakas).

The latest recipients of this Gawai gift are residents in Rh Sumping and Rh Meramat longhouse colony here.

Just two months ago, over 150 residents of both the longhouses had to depend on rain water for their daily needs, such as drinking, bathing and washing.

And this has been exceptionally difficult considering the recent dry spell.

But gravity-pumped water came to their homes in April.

Sumping Pagon, 43, the Tuai Rumah (headman) of Rh Sumping Ran Ulu Batu, and the area’s 50 residents are elated at having clean water for the preparations for Gawai.

Their neighbours at Rh Meramat, located about one kilometer away, also share the same gravity-feed water source, and are equally ecstatic about the gift that has changed their lives for the better.

The 250 residents of Rh Murphy, another longhouse in Kampung Selanjan Sebemban Asal, near Sri Aman, can also put their water woes behind them.

Rural Initiative

Tuai Rumah Murphy Jaritan, 60, said that this is the best gift the villagers had received, adding that it is timely because of this year’s Gawai.

“I’m very happy that the gravity-feed water supply project has greatly benefited the residents here, and we are highly optimistic of a better quality of life. This is the most meaningful Gawai gift,” he added.

This year’s Gawai not only brings new hope to the residents of the three longhouses, but also promises to gradually solve the problems of 2,000 more people living in the backwaters of Sarawak.

The Bakas programme is part of the initiative under the Blue Ocean Strategy, which utilises the resources and expertise of various departments and agencies to provide clean water supply to rural citizens.

Sumping had applied for clean gravity-feed water supply in May 2010. Since then, there has been no looking back for Sumping and his people.

All 14 living quarters within Rh Sumping now enjoy clean water.

The gravity-feed water supply project costs about RM112,000. It consists of a mini dam, a filtration system, piping and water retention tanks, as well as installation works that started operating in March this year.

“The Gawai celebration has started much earlier since the gravity water supply was completed in April this year,” said Sumping.

“I feel ecstatic and grateful to the government for allocating resources to implement this project.

“Now, we don’t have to worry about water supply, even during the dry season,” he said.

The residents of both longhouses can take much of the credit for the successful installation of the gravity-feed water facility.

They were the ones who ferried the construction material across the thick jungle-covered hills and valleys, and assembled the whole system with the guidance of experts.

“We worked hard to get the mini-dam ready, and installed the tanks and piped. In the end, we were rewarded,” Sumping said.

Cheaper Alternative

Meawnhile KKLW’s Infrastructure Division Secretary, Zaniah Ahmad, noted that the ministry had allocated RM5.2 million to implement clean gravity-feed water projects across the country.

“Eight projects have been identified, or are under implementation in Sri Aman. There are also projects in Samarahan (seven), Sarikei (six), Betong (five), Kapit (three) and two each in Kuching, Miri, Bintulu and Limbang.

“So far, nine of the 37 gravity water projects have been completed,” she said.

She pointed out that the gravity-feed water project costs between RM50,000 and RM250,000, depending on the distance between the water source and the settlement, and the number of families involved.

“Unlike the conventional water supply system, the gravity-feed water system is easier and cheaper to operate and maintain. It also helps prevent waterborne diseases. It is a cheaper way to help rural people,” she told Bernama.

With cleaner water, Sarawak’s rural dwellers can happily wish one another ‘gayu-guru, gerai nyamai’ (long life, health and prosperity), the traditional greeting during Gawai. 

- FMT