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About JBALB


WHAT IS JBALB?

J.B.A.L.B stands for Jabatan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar.

HISTORY OF JBALB SARAWAK

   

Jabatan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (JBALB) Sarawak is a department under the purview of Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak (formerly known were Ministry of Utilities Sarawak, and Ministry of Public Utilities Sarawak). JBALB was enforced in August 2015 and started to operate fully in April 2016. JBALB Sarawak is entrusted with the responsibilities of taking over Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR) in managing and improving water supply system especially in suburban and rural areas of Sarawak to resolve water supply issues in those areas. 

The establishment of JBALB Sarawak as a new agency under the Sarawak Government is a significant move in tackling water supply issue and managing increasing demands for the supply of clean and treated water especially for the people living in suburban and rural areas. Together with Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB) and LAKU Management Sdn Bhd., JBALB Sarawak is a department under the purview of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak.

JBALB Sarawak is headed by Ir. Ts. Awg Mohammad Fadillah bin Awg Redzuan, and he is assisted by approximately 1,500 staff across the state of Sarawak. They are responsible for the monumental task of achieving the department’s vision of 100% water supply coverage in rural areas of Sarawak by 2030 and the mission of the department is to supply safe reliable water supply to people living in rural areas of Sarawak.

As a new agency under the Sarawak Government, there are of course challenges and hurdles that have to overcome. However, guided by the core values: ‘Integrity, Kind and Caring, Teamwork, Result Oriented, Professionalism, Urgency and Ownership, and Customer Oriented’, led by indomitable leadership and supported by dedicated and committed staff, JBALB Sarawak is poised to become a respected and prestigious agency in the near future.

Currently, JBALB is operating and maintaining 122 water treatment plants (WTP), 85 booster pumping stations (BPS), 580 storage water tanks and 8,113 km of pipeline in the whole of Sarawak with a design capacity to supply 607.72 million liters a day (MLD) with current production of 476.76 million liters a day (MLD) to meet the demands of approximately 1.12 million users.  

There are 221,957 nos of active meters which translates to 997,187 consumers being served by JBALB as of year 2020, which shall also assist State Water Authority in the administration and enforcement of the Water Ordinance, the Water Supply Regulations and related licensing provisions in Sarawak.

Jabatan Bekalan Air Luar Bandar (JBALB) [Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department], formerly JKR Water Supply Authorities, was launched in 1st September 2015. The appointment of its first Director, Ir. Daniel Wong Park Ing was on the 1st October 2015. It has now then carried on with the same roles and responsibilities as JKR Water Supply Authorities.
Mr. Ir. Daniel Wong Park Ing was then replaced by Mr. Ir. Chang Kuet Shian after his retirement, assisted by two deputy directors namely Mr. Andrew Ling Eng Lik [Deputy Director (Management)] and Mr. Thomas Lucas Santang [Deputy Director (Technical)]. 
Prior to Mr. Andrew Ling's retirement in November 2019. he was then replaced by Mr. Ahmad Selihin Che Said [Deputy Director (Operation)]