KUCHING: The Rural Water Supply Department (JBALB) Sarawak has launched its Operation and Maintenance (O&M) standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Contract Administration SOPs. Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom officiated at the launching ceremony here yesterday. “JBALB Sarawak is launching these O&M SOPs and Contract Administration SOPs to increase the efficiency of the system in ensuring all projects and service operations are carried out within the allocated timeframe,” said JBALB Sarawak director Chang Kuet Shian during his speech.
He believed that with these SOPs as guidelines, all operations and tender management under JBALB Sarawak would be carried out with integrity. Chang announced the 10 matters covered by the O&M SOPs namely water treatment process, interconnection by third party, ordering, procurement, handling and storage of water treatment chemical, JBALB asset damaged by third party, maintenance of assets and equipment, JBALB customer service, supply of the portable water, water meter, JBALB water billing system (JWBS) and meter reading. Meanwhile, he revealed that the Contract Administration SOPs encompassed two main aspects — pre-contract and post-contract.
During his speech, Dr Rundi remarked that the launching of the SOPs was timely. He also urged JBALB Sarawak members not to be disheartened by complaints or negative feedback from other parties, advising them instead to deliver to the best of their capabilities and learn how to manage communications and perceptions. “In order to avoid all those unnecessary criticisms, we must be able to explain in detail to clarify the situation,” he advised.
“We cannot do things in split seconds; we have to explain that there are stages in doing these things,” Dr Rundi stated, referring to issues pertaining to rural water supply. Also in attendance were Utilities (Water Supply) Assistant Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and Ministry of Utilities permanent secretary Datuk Alice Jawan Empaling.
