Dr Xavier (centre) gestures during the press conference. Also seen are Zulpuri (right) and Zurinah. Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources will be working together with the Sarawak government to develop groundwater in the state.
According to its minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar, groundwater development projects have already commenced in Peninsular Malaysia and the ministry is looking to kickstart this development in Sarawak either by this year or early next year.
“I’ve just discussed this with the chief minister and he has agreed for us to work together.
“We will hold a meeting on this and after that, conduct 4D mapping of Sarawak for us to obtain the latest data. Once we have this data, this will be used to develop groundwater in Sarawak,” he told a press conference after paying Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari a courtesy call at his office in Wisma Bapa Malaysia here today.
On another issue, Dr Xavier said he had also discussed with the chief minister on the collaboration between the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources, Sarawak Forest Department and Sarawak Forestry Corporation in the acquisition of an aircraft and system for the development of a Turnkey Hyperspectral Observation System which will assist in efforts to protect the country’s forests and wildlife.
“Basically, it’s a hyperspectral plane which will be used to map the whole of Sarawak in terms of forests, wildlife, land use, and we can also see what we have underground.
“With this, we can then have full Big Data information on Sarawak which can then be used for the betterment of the state,” he explained, adding that the RM35 million aircraft from Austria will be fully funded by the federal government.
He said the acquisition of the aircraft has been approved by the cabinet and the aircraft is expected to arrive in Sarawak by this year end.
“The aircraft will be based in Sarawak and placed under the Sarawak Forest Department. It can be used by all agencies under the ministry.”
Also present at the press conference were Deputy Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji and Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources secretary general Datuk Zurinah Pawanteh.