A Memorandum of Understanding between Senari Synergy and UNIMAS which aims at resolving quality and inconsistent water supply issues arising from low water pressure, ageing piping and uneven distribution in stressed areas of the rural population was signed today and witnessed by Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Patinggi (DR) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak.

The MoU will enable both parties to explore areas involving developing and/or rejuvenating the existing water supply infrastructure in remote areas that are difficult to access. The project will entail the development of a standalone system that will help complement the existing Sarawak State Water Grid Programme.

Jefri said, “Senari Synergy are extremely excited about this collaboration with UNIMAS as this will allow us to assist the State in providing not only clean treated water which is very much needed in the rural areas but more importantly ensuring cost effective and timely delivery of the project through the provision of a standalone system’.

“Senari Synergy has the necessary technical expertise and relevant project management skills through its decade long experience in developing and managing infrastructure works and these experiences will certainly help in facilitating the timely rollout of this project” he added.

Prof Datu Mohd Fadzil said “UNIMAS has over the years undertaken research in water desalination and has provided standalone water supplies to several remote areas. UNIMAS aspires to upgrade rural water supply through its continuous research and innovation in the area of nanotechnology. The uniqueness of UNIMAS water desalination is its potential to generate high return on capital due to the utilization of local technology and high water production rate. Furthermore, the UNIMAS water desalination is cost saving as it is low energy, reduces greenhouse gas and is environmentally friendly. The collaboration with Senari Synergy will help us expand this technology further into bigger area and a big step towards achieving UNIMAS public private sector collaboration initiative”.

The Chief Minister, YAB Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg said, “The State Government welcomes and supports the collaboration initiative of both UNIMAS and Senari Synergy. This noble effort by both parties in proposing alternative complementing system to resolve the long standing issues involving the provision of clean water, will certainly benefit the well-being of our communities, particularly those in the rural areas”.

Senari Synergy was represented by its Group Managing Director, Haji Jefri Ahmad Tambi whilst UNIMAS was represented by its Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Datu Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman. Also present was Tan Sri Datuk Amar Haji Bujang Nor, Chairman of Senari Synergy Sdn Bhd, Prof Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. Lo May Chuin, Senior Director of Research Innovation and Enterprise Centre, and Prof M. Shahidul Islam, Professor at the Faculty of Engineering, UNIMAS and Puan Norhayati Johari, Head of Corporate Strategy Planning & Implementation (COSPI) of Senari Synergy.