Sabah reps cry for solutions as water woes dominate assembly sitting

KOTA KINABALU – The majority of Sabah assemblymen took the opportunity to weigh in on the state’s perennial water cuts in today’s assembly sitting.

While Sabah Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the supply disruptions were due to increasing demand and illegal taps, as well as old pipes and pumps, the assemblymen continued to press for solutions as it affects the majority of the population.

In demanding answers, Datuk Junz Wong (Tg Aru-Warisan) said the Sabah government can no longer give the same excuses such as illegal taps and old pipes as the problem has worsened.

“The excuses are the same ones given for years, and we all know these issues are not easy to solve. Even if the government cannot solve these issues, at least ensure we contain the problem. Now it has worsened,” he said.  

“Even high-class hotels are purchasing water for operations. No water in airports, Universiti Malaysia Sabah. An apartment spends thousands of ringgit a month to purchase water.”

Earlier, opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Senallang-Warisan) said it is unacceptable that Sabah cannot fulfil the most basic human necessity 60 years after the nation was formed.

He added that the problem has worsened as it is now affecting cities and towns including Kota Kinabalu and Tuaran, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s hometown.

Shafie blamed leakages in the Sabah Water Department and incapable contractors, while urging the state government to reform the department.  

Datuk Annuar Ayub (Liawan-Sabah STAR) said Keningau not only faces water cuts, but there are 20 villages, five primary schools, and a secondary school there that still do not have access to treated water.  

He proposed that the state government come up with a holistic master plan to resolve the state’s water woes.  

Meanwhile, Jannie Lasimbang (Kapayan-DAP) said while the Sabah government is spending millions on projects to improve the water supply, she believes in other alternatives as short-term solutions.  

She added that the state government should allocate a budget for community efforts such as gravity-fed water systems and community catchment areas. 

“Tube well technology can also be a short-term solution. Each well is able to supply water for 300 households, and it costs around RM200,000 to RM300,000 each. They can be completed in three to five months, including a feasibility study,” she said.

Earlier, Shahelmey said the state Water Department is conducting programmes to reduce non-revenue water, and boosting manpower to be more efficient by hiring more than 200 part-timers.  

He added that the water cuts are caused by delays in the implementation of projects, such as phase two of the Telibong 2 water treatment plant project that was supposed to start last year.

“As minister in charge for the past four months, I was disappointed when I found that a lot of these projects have weak management.

“I have discussed this with several experienced staff from the (Sabah) Water Department and the ministry. We will find an approach to arrange and improve the delivery system of the department and the ministry.” – The Vibes, May 23, 2023