KOTA KINABALU – The water disruption in Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) here has remained unresolved, although the crisis has lasted more than one week.
The Vibes was made to understand that the officials from the Works Ministry and the Water Department director met UMS management over the issue yesterday.
However, Sabah Works Minister Datuk Shahelmy Yahya, when contacted by The Vibes, said short- and medium-term solutions will continue to be implemented over the next couple of days.
“Short- and medium-term measures such as sending in water via lorries and filling up current tanks were among matters discussed, aside from technical issues,” he said.
Shahelmy said this when confirming the meeting took place yesterday.
The water cut has affected thousands of UMS students staying in residential colleges there.
Sepanggar – the sub-district where the public university is located – continues to be plagued by water shortages.
The worst-hit students are from Tun Pengiran Ahmad Raffae Residential College, located at the far end of the campus.
It is UMS’ largest residential college, housing some 3,600 students from all over Malaysia.
Community Development and People’s Well-being Minister Datuk James Ratib had vowed to look into the welfare of non-Sabahan students affected by the water crisis and provide assistance to them.
He said he was aware that some of the students are from the peninsula and do not have local relatives who can assist them during challenging times.
“I will perhaps talk to the Welfare Department and we could help them. We will try to help them wherever we can,” Ratib said.
He said he had met Shahelmy who was working to address the water supply problem.
“God willing, the problem will be resolved in several days,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Sepanggar MP’s parliamentary office and the university’s Science and Natural Resources Students’ Association donated hundreds of cartons of mineral water to the students today. – The Vibes, January 26, 2023
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