ACCESS to running clean water is a basic necessity. Any metropolis aspiring to ‘alpha city’ status must definitely have its plumbing in order.
It therefore came as a shock to many that Kuching City folks are subject to their own version of teh tarik-coloured tap water which is so synonymous with PAS-ruled Kelantan (and in certain part of Kedah as well).
If such is the case, then it would appear that Kuching City is some way off being rated “first world” given its residents have been frequently complaining about the mud-like substance that gushes forth from its water faucets.
Grumbling on the Sarawak Awareness Group (No Ads) Facebook forum, Kuching City resident Basil Peregrine Ong posted images of a murky, coffee-like flow of water despite it appearing to have gone through a water filter.
Claiming it has been almost a daily occurrence for months, the irate home dweller noticed that the taps normally start dispensing coffee-liked water “after 6pm onwards and almost daily occurrence”.
Lamenting that Kuching residents used to be ultra-proud of its water supply, Ong is saddened that they now have to face the current scenario. “What is happening to Kuching Waterboard?” he demanded to know.
His post has garnered 486 likes, 280 comments and 103 shares at time of writing with more than a few Kuching City residents venting their spleen over this issue.
“The people of Kuching deserve reliable access to clean and safe water. Please prioritise this issue,” screamed Kuchingite Marsha Marcella Edmund.
This was the clear message to the relevant authorities to ensure that Kuching residents need not have to face this problem on a daily basis.
It was pointed out that residents depended on clean water” for cooking, drinking, prepare baby formula, bathe our children and wash clothes/dishes” and that not everyone could afford water filters.
Underlining that this is not an isolated incident, some other Kuching City folks posted pictorial evidence of similarly contaminated water supply.
Some Sarawakians made the pointed observation that this problem was not confined to Kuching City. Water supplied to rural areas was “not fit for human consumption”, claimed one disgusted citizen.
Much of the ire was directed at the Sarawak Water Sdn Bhd chairmanDatuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki who is also state secretary.
One commenter asked if the authorities were expecting residents to bathe in rivers thereby risking being eaten by crocs! Jokes aside, he was obviously unimpressed by Sarawak Water Board’s fancy re-branding that did not match with its shoddy upkeep of water infrastructure.
Another non-plussed resident simply contended that he has become so used to it, recounting how white clothes that go into a washing machine would appear yellow post-wash. He also noted that investing in a water filter was beyond his budget.
More than a few felt that it was the Sarawak Water Board’s responsibility to provide clean water supply. It was noted that water filters were not only expensive but seemingly unable to completely clear the water as one commenter testified.
In an unflattering comparison, some citizens compared Sarawak to Kelantan which is also beset with water woes.
Having no clean water to do the basic necessities is a real pain as shown by the number of frustrated comments.
At the end of the day, it would appear the only people benefitting from this water crisis are vendors of water filter systems. – June 12, 2026
