Previous state govts failed to solve water woe
Published on: Sunday, March 10, 2024
“There are too many effects of previous administration’s indifference, but with a work plan and good synergy between the state and federal, it will definitely facilitate the process,” he said. Mandela also expressed appreciation for the allocation of RM300 million last year, as well as the four new projects that have been approved under the Fourth Rolling Plan, the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK) amounting to RM200 million for the short-term solution to water supply issues in the state of Sabah.
Kota Kinabalu: The State Government today has to deal with problems that had accumulated for more than 20 years and ongoing efforts such as ensuring improved water supply is worthy of praise.
Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Moyog Division Chief Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun said the current state government is the most serious in solving the water issue.
ADVERTISEMENT
Starting from the technical strategy of replacing the main pipes after the operation to combat water theft to overcome the problem of Non-Produced Water (NRW), upgrading water treatment plants (LRA) to accommodate more water supply, up to the stage of implementation of the integrity plan and anti-corruption plan in the Sabah State Water Department to avoid the issue of governance misconduct as before.
“Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor and Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya are serious in solving the water issue. Within three years, various actions have been implemented to overcome water problems for the short and long term,” he said.
He listed among them increasing the capacity of the Telibong II Water Treatment Plant (LRA) from 80 million litres per day (JLH) to 160 JLH involving the main pipeline and storage tank to cope with the high population growth and rapid development in the entire northern and central areas of Sabah.
“The project will increase supply and storage capacity from 94.6 million litres (JL) to 163.3 JL,” he said in a statement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mandela expressed regret that irresponsible parties were manipulating the efforts regarding water supply.
“For example, the notice issued by the Sabah Water Department dated March 6 regarding the water disruption for 10 days in the Kota Kinabalu area was misinterpreted. The situation actually occurred due to the maintenance work of Filter Media No 3 (189 MLD to 187 MLD) in the Moyog LRA as if the work is not carried out, it could cause critical water problems in the future, even Jetama has committed to replace the two Megalitres of water that is reduced as a result of the activity through the Kasigui LRA,” said Mandela.
ADVERTISEMENT
“There are too many effects of previous administration’s indifference, but with a work plan and good synergy between the state and federal, it will definitely facilitate the process,” he said.
Mandela also expressed appreciation for the allocation of RM300 million last year, as well as the four new projects that have been approved under the Fourth Rolling Plan, the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK) amounting to RM200 million for the short-term solution to water supply issues in the state of Sabah.
Most recently, another RM100 million additional allocation has been requested.
He hoped the community would play a role in consumption and understand the steps that need to be taken by the Water Department if forced to ration or there is a supply disruption due to work that needs to be carried out.
Mandela reminded that Kota Kinabalu has an estimated population of 441,000 and supply is also increasing to the North West Coast South areas such as Tuaran, Telipok, Menggal, Inanam and Likas.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
