He said, the Sika Reservoir level was critically low due to continuous dry
spell, forcing the LAKU Management SDN. BHD. to restrict water supply to the residential and commercial consumers.

Tiong said he understand LAKU will supply water at scheduled hours from July 21 until further notice, adding that the residents and the commercial sectors especially the industries in Bintulu must conserve water and reduce water consumption with immediate effect.

He also advised the residents could take steps by not washing their vehicles
for the time being while Bintulu is affected by the water crisis.

It is understood that starting from tomorrow, LAKU would supply water to all
residential, kampungs and commercial lots with residential areas from 5:00pm to 7:30am.

As for commercial centres including the Bintulu township, Jalan Abang Galau and Kampung Sinong/Sibiew and Masjid, he reminded consumers that water would be supplied from 9pm to 2pm daily while the light and medium industrial areas, water supply be from 9am to 2pm.

Tiong said LAKU would not be imposing water supply restriction to the major
industrial areas at Kidurong and Kemena Industrial Estate for the time being
due to national interest.

However, he said if the situation worsens, LAKU might imposed water supply restriction to the industries as well.

Thus, he call on the industrial consumers to conserve water and reduce usage as much as possible to ease the situation.

Tiong also explained that present water production of Bintulu was 77 million
litres per day (MLD) where 10 per cent increase from year 2000 figure of 70
MLD.

He said, the increase was mainly due to the MLNG III construction works.
 
Touching on the preventive measures taken by LAKU, he was acknowledged the company had been reducing the output and water pressure, as this action would cause the production rate to be reduced by at least 10 per cent. The measure would also cause low water presuure and possible intermittent water interruption at higher grounds.

On the other hand, Tiong also revealed that LAKU had taken a pro-active
measure by constructing a new 100 MLD water treatment plant, which would be completed and commisioned by August 2002.

`With the completion of this water treatment plant, the total water treatment
capacity would be 177 MLD, which is approximately 10 times larger that
existing Sika dam'

He was acknowledged that tender for work has been called and expected for
completion by end of 2004.

If in any case, Tiong hope the rakyat living in the surrounding Kelalong areas
will give full co-operation and support to the project due to the project will
benefit the rakyat immensely...BP.