Photo shows the vastly-wide Batang Lupar. Plenty of water in the river but on land, the move to find solution for the treated water issue has remained stagnant. — Photo by Roystein Emmor
IF it is technologically-feasible and economically-viable to convert river water into an export commodity, Sarawak may export the precious drops, in addition to pepper, rubber, pineapples, durians, palm oil and timber.
We have more than enough rivers and streams, as well as the sky itself, as the main sources of the raw material.
The Borneo Post, on July 15, 2026, had quoted the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg as talking about the state government’s plan of exporting water as a commercial commodity, to any other country that needed it.
All dealings in the water will be carried out after Sarawak has achieved its own water supply target by 2030.
That much has been assured by the Premier.
It is not unusual for a country with excess water supply to sell it to a neighbouring country.
We know Johor has been selling water to Singapore for many decades.
To me, it is a visionary move by the state government.
It never crossed my mind that Sarawak leaders would decide that water could be converted into a commercial product, in addition to the other goods.
I don’t remember reading any book on the history of Sarawak that mentioned the importance of river water during the 100-year-old rule of the Brooke Rajahs.
Rivers were important as traffic routes, or sometimes as boundaries.
The water in them was taken for granted.
The idea that a government is bound to supply water to its population is comparatively new.
Kuching had some water supply from the reservoir at the head of Sungai Mata Kuching, but it was not until the 1920s that the water from the gushing springs in the Matang hills was piped into town.
However, don’t get too excited yet over this water-for-export news.
If I may be permitted to chip in, I would suggest that the Sarawak government must not rush off to sell water to outsiders – not until the water supply is sufficient for every settlement, be it township, village or longhouse.
Simanggang has on-and-off water shortages, and the town is growing, so it needs more supply.
Consider the communities living along the coastal areas of the state, as well as the people in remote longhouses.
They need treated water for all purposes. The motto should be: ‘One Water Tap in Every Home’ – at least!
I have been hearing about the Simanggang water problem for the past 30 years.
The town is on the Batang Lupar, which is a pretty large river.
Strange that a main town along a main river system is still plagued by a constant shortage of potable water.
This scheme to export the river water must be seen against the background of the domestic water supply situation.
The people living on the coasts of the state have been without treated water during the dry spells for so long that they rely on the blue tanks for storing water from the sky; even that source is not always reliable.
Can all these problems be solved before or by 2030 though? Four years is not a long time.
Perhaps, before the Batang Lupar is declared to be a source of export water and a processing plant site is chosen, the honourable members of the State Legislative Assembly, and the honourable member of the parliamentary constituency concerned should continue barking up the right tree.
The Sarawak government and the federal government must ensure that the people of Simanggang will get an adequate supply of treated water too.
I mention this good old township as an example; of course I mean every settlement in Sarawak deserves good quality water, in sufficient quantity, on tap.
All the people who live along the rivers and the streams expect to enjoy the benefits of the scheme; so now is the time for them to look after the health of the rivers.
They may be picked as suitable sites for the processing plants; also employment for the locals.
Now, which countries will buy our water?
Your guess is as good as mine.
I am thinking about countries in the Middle East. It is possible that oil will be exchanged for water.
Imagine that!
These are my speculations. Please do not quote me.
No doubt we will hear more about this interesting product of Sarawak.
You may start thinking about a brand name for our product.
Mine: “Sarawak Fresh.”
Before I wind down, there is one other important factor that I must mention.
The state government must not forget about the interests of private companies that are already marketing bottled water.
Besides the water board that regulates domestic water supply, we will also need a ‘Water Export Board’ – or something like it.
Accept the private manufacturers of bottled water (popularly known as mineral water) and their firms as partners, not as competitors.
The post Converting Sarawak’s river water into export commodity appeared first on Borneo Post Online.