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SANDAKAN – The Sabah government will take the opportunity to seek financial assistance from the federal government after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced his plan to resolve the water supply problem in the state.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the state government has applied for loans and grants to upgrade the water supply in Sabah, and the time has come for it to discuss the matter with Anwar.
“We will discuss with the prime minister on how the federal government can assist us to ease our burden in solving our challenges, solving the water supply problem in Sabah,” he said.
Shahelmey, who is also state works minister, said this at a press conference after he inspected the road conditions from Lahad Datu to Sandakan, and visited the Segaliud Water Treatment Plant here today.
Earlier today, Anwar had said that the federal government will try to resolve the water supply problems in Kelantan and Sabah even though they involve huge costs.
“The water issues in Kelantan and Sabah need to be addressed because they are fundamental problems, not political,” he said.
Meanwhile, regarding a separate issue, Shahelmey said he saw with his own eyes the Kinabatangan–Lahad Datu road that is described by locals as “the surface of the moon” due to its numerous potholes.
“It is true, I saw the condition of the road myself, especially in the Sukau area heading to Kinabatangan. I found that there were several areas that must be repaired.
“After inspection, I discussed with representatives from the Sabah Works Department and the concession companies responsible for maintaining this federal road, and they have been ordered to do urgent maintenance and repair in several areas,” he said.
Shahelmey also called on the Federal Works Ministry to increase the allocation for the maintenance of the said road.
He said the Kinabatangan-Lahad Datu road is part of the Pan Borneo Highway Project, but before the project starts, the road must see maintenance and be repaired for the safety of road users here. – The Vibes, May 15, 2023
