SEND SOONEST: Sample of reply slip to be completed by consumers and send to Laku.
MIRI: Laku Management Sdn Bhd (Northern Sarawak Water Board), recently upgraded its communication system by installing Short Messaging (SMS) Service to serve customers more efficiently.
Its Miri area manager Lo Su Onn said the system requires consumers to update their records with the board, particularly their handphone numbers.
“Give us your updated valid mobile phone numbers to enable us to reach you at the shortest possible time via SMS in the event of interruption of water supply from burst pipes or planned work,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.
Lo said of the 58,120 consumer accounts in Miri city, 50,934 were those of domestic households.
“Some information recorded over the years since January 1996 when Laku came into being are outdated,” he revealed. Test runs conducted on the SMS system showed only 20,000 customers have active mobile phone numbers registered with Laku.
He said all customers had to do is complete the information at the back of their water bill (reply slip) and send it to Laku soonest.
Lo said Laku is committed to give the best service to customers, and that the SMS system was proven successful with other agencies including Sibu Water Board (SWB) and telecommunication providers.
However SMSes will only be sent for long term interruption of more than four hours as well as on planned work. For planned works, notice will be given one day in advance.
On complaints and calls by consumers outside Miri City (in areas like Niah, Bekenu and Marudi) for Laku to improve its service, Loh said they have no jurisdiction over the matter.
He said Laku only serves consumers in urban centres in Bintulu and Limbang towns and Miri city. it has no jurisdiction over service in rural areas which come under the Public Works Department (PWD).