Much-needed service: Mohd Jamil (right) installing a tube well for a client with his employee at Kampung Dewan Kecil in Machang, Kelantan. — Bernama
KOTA BARU: Kelantan’s water supply problem is proving to be a boon for tube well drillers.
Mohd Jamil Yaakob, 34, who is more popularly known as ‘Raja Air Boring’, said demand for his services had increased tremendously over the past few months.
“This year, demand for tube well drilling services has been so encouraging that we are unable to meet the needs of customers.
“Our average income, so far, is over RM10,000 per day for three tube well installations, depending on the depth and structure of the soil at the construction site,” he told Bernama here on Sunday.
Mohd Jamil, who began pursuing this career three years ago, had increased the number of employees to 11 people compared with just two previously.
“When I first worked as a tube well driller, I had the help of a worker and all the work was done manually and was therefore very tiring.
“After a month, I managed to buy an electric drill machine and now I have seven multi-functional machines,” he said.
Mohd Jamil drills wells for schools, mosques and crop farms, with service fees reaching RM30,000.
In certain circumstances, he even carries out tube well drilling works at night.
“This includes meeting the needs of a religious school in Pasir Mas, which had to be closed for two days because there was no water supply, as well as that of several mosques,” he said.
Mohd Jamil, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), told Bernama his interest in the service was sparked while working as a manager of a leading water filtration company in the state.
While speaking with customers, he found many had problems getting clean water to their homes.
He recognised the business potential and quit his job, even though he said his income was more than decent at that time.
“It was the right decision and I now have a very lucrative income,” he said.
The 34-year-old, who also has a Diploma in Science from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), said besides drilling tube wells, he also supplies a special boring water filter which he designed.
Mohd Jamil, who lives in Kampung Jelatok in Tanah Merah, said he not only gets orders from residents in Kelantan but also from other neighbouring states such as Terengganu, Pahang, Perak and Kedah. — Bernama
