About JBALB

 

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 Sarawak Government 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 on 1 August 2015 and started to operate fully on 19 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 an agency of the Sarawak Government is highly significant in addressing and resolving water supply issues across the state. In addition, JBALB Sarawak plays a vital role in managing the increasing demand for clean and treated water, particularly among communities in rural and remote areas of Sarawak. The establishment of JBALB Sarawak also completes the list of water supply authorities in Sarawak under the jurisdiction and administration of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak, namely Sarawak Water Sdn. Bhd. (formerly operating through 3 main water supply agencies: Kuching Water Board (KWB), Sibu Water Board (SWB), and LAKU Management Sdn. Bhd.).                                               
JBALB Sarawak is currently headed by Ts. Ahmad Selihin bin Che Said, as the Director of JBALB Sarawak, 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 full water supply coverage in rural areas of Sarawak by 2030 and the mission of the department is to supply safe and reliable water supply to people living in rural areas of Sarawak.

As JBALB reaches to almost a decade agency under the Sarawak Government, there are challenges and hurdles that have to overcome. However, with the 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 100 water treatment plants (WTP), 122 booster pumping stations (BPS), 267 storage water tanks and 10,073km of water pipeline in the whole of Sarawak with a design capacity to supply 656.305 million liters a day (MLD) with current production of 589.272 million liters a day (MLD) to meet the demands of approximately 1.12 million users.

There are 267,636 numbers of active meters which translates to 997,187 consumers being served by JBALB, 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.

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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)]