Trusan dam project to proceed as planned

0

Abang Johari (fourth left), flanked by his wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang and Masing, leads the cake-cutting ceremony at the Aidilfitri get-together. Also in the photo are (from right) Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Dr Rundi, Morshidi and Abdul Hamed.

KUCHING: The Trusan dam project in Lawas will proceed as planned to  accommodate future demands for water and electricity supply and at the same time, turn the lake into a tourism product.

According to Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, the dam project is meant to generate power for economic activities and also the needs of the rural population.

It is learnt that the works on Trusan dam would commence after the completion of the Baleh Dam in Kapit.

“Now we focus on Baleh dam first; after that we will proceed with the designing of Trusan dam,” Abang Johari told reporters at the Sarawak Energy’s ‘Ramah Tamah Aidilfitri’ event in a hotel here yesterday.

The chief minister said Sarawak Energy would be responsible in building the dam in that the corporation had more details on the project including the costs and how much power it could generate.

According to Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed  Sepawi, the studies and research on Trusan dam were completed about four years ago.

He also disclosed that Abang Johari had paid the Sultan of Brunei a visit to talk more about the dam, which is located near to the sultanate.

“We will revisit the project.

Once the dam is completed, it should be able  to  generate 100MW to 200MW of power.

“Besides, the dam would save the cost of diesel, amounting to hundreds of thousands of ringgit every year, to supply power to Limbang and Lawas,” said Abdul Hamed, adding that Sarawak Energy is also planning to export the energy to Sabah and Brunei.

Earlier, Abang Johari expressed his confidence in Sarawak Energy towards its aspiration to become a powerhouse for Asean,

especially after it had taken steps towards a ‘TransBorneo Power Grid’ through its first interconnection with Kalimantan last year.

Additionally, Sarawak Energy is currently talking to Sabah and Brunei on power-exchange agreements, providing a

platform for them to implement the Borneo Power Grid.

Abang Johari also praised Sarawak Energy for its move to provide all Sarawakians with access to 24/7 electricity, bringing the state domestic coverage to 94 per cent.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing, Rural Electricity and Water Supply Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani and Sarawak Energy group chief executive officer Sharbini Suhaili were also at the Aidilfitri gathering.