In response to various questions raised in the ongoing 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) session, Minister of Development Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid provided updates on critical issues concerning water quality, local business development, and upcoming projects aimed at advancing the country’s infrastructure, among others.
On the issue of water quality in Sungai Temburong, the Minister explained that real-time, online monitoring systems are being installed at key water treatment locations to ensure a steady supply of clean water. The government has made it a priority to closely monitor the water conditions in Sungai Temburong. Recent site visits were conducted to evaluate existing tank systems and assess the ongoing work on pipeline installations and the necessary maintenance to support water supply continuity.
This initiative is part of the government’s plans outlined in the 12th National Development Plan, which includes the installation of online monitoring systems at water treatment sites. These measures are expected to enhance the efficiency of water management and ensure the uninterrupted flow of clean water, especially in affected areas.
The Minister also addressed challenges related to telecommunication signals affecting GPS usage. There are issues with weak telecommunication signals and interruptions in certain controlled areas. However, expanding telecommunications coverage, including internet services to offshore areas, would allow GPS systems to function more effectively, ensuring accurate data and signal reception.
Regarding the Local Business Development (LBD) policy, the Minister acknowledged that while the initiative has made strides, challenges remain, particularly in increasing local company involvement and local workforce participation in the construction sector. One of the key obstacles has been ensuring that contractors adhere to LBD guidelines, which are included in the contract documents.
The policy mandates that contractors prioritise local businesses and workers, especially when sourcing construction materials from local suppliers and producers. This approach aims to strengthen the local business ecosystem and create more economic opportunities for both companies and workers in the region.
The Minister also provided an update on the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) project, which is currently in the Request for Proposal (RFP) preparation stage. The RFP is expected to open on July 17, with proposal submissions due by October 23. If a successful bidder is identified, the project will be awarded by July 10, 2026.
The contract is anticipated to be signed by October 2, 2026, and testing phases will commence thereafter, with full operations expected by 2029. This timeline highlights the government’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and waste management initiatives.
These efforts, as explained by the Minister, are integral to the country’s development plans, aiming to improve essential services while fostering economic growth through local business engagement and environmental sustainability.
Other issues will be addressed in writing, as ruled out by the LegCo Speaker Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Dato Setia Haji Mohamed Taib. – Fadley Faisal
