TAWAU: Kalabakan Member of Parliament Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy has proposed cloud seeding operations in Sebatik – an island shared by Malaysia and Indonesia – which is facing a water crisis.
He said dam levels have dropped to a dangerous depth of just 0.9 metres, prompting intensified emergency efforts to distribute clean water to meet the daily needs of residents on the island.
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He said the authorities are under pressure to ensure sufficient clean water supply for residents amid the ongoing dry spell, which has recorded very low rainfall this year.
“The reservoir at the Wallace Bay Water Dam (EAWB) depends entirely on rain.
“Therefore, dredging to deepen the reservoir is urgent, but we also recognise the high cost involved, estimated at around RM40 million.
“Following this, I propose to the State government to consider implementing cloud seeding in Sebatik Island area,” Andi said.
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He was speaking during a working visit to residential areas in Sebatik on Saturday, where he assessed the situation on the ground, including the effectiveness of 30 tube wells installed since 2024 and the current status of EAWB, accompanied by JPBD officials and members of the media.
The Kalabakan parliamentary office distributed 48,000 bottles of mineral water as emergency aid to support residents while awaiting the government’s implementation of the dam deepening project.
“For now, the situation is under control due to measures taken, such as free water distribution from alternative sources like tube wells capable of producing up to 1,000 litres per hour, in addition to the main supply from EAWB and villagers’ own wells.
“Without rationing, the island’s water supply is expected to last only about seven days before completely running dry,” he said.
He added that the critical condition at EAWB, managed by the Sabah State Water Department (JANS), has been worsened by sediment and silt build-up, reducing the dam’s depth from 17 metres to just five metres.
Andi said monitoring works also found that some of the 30 tube wells built in 2024 are now damaged and require maintenance to restore their functionality as alternative clean water sources.
“Water quality in some areas remains unsatisfactory and has a salty odour, particularly from wells dug by villagers. We urge caution to avoid any untoward incidents,” he said.
Andi said State Water Department (JANS) has implemented water rationing schedules and deployed both government and private water tankers, as well as installing two Mobile Water Treatment Plants (PWPP) in Kg Sungai Laba and Kg Bergosong, each capable of producing 1,000 litres per hour.
“For long-term measures, the Dam Deepening Project is proposed under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), involving State government funding estimated at RM40 million.
“We have also applied for the construction of a water retention pond near the Pulau Sebatik Water Treatment Plant, which is currently awaiting approval,” he said.
According to statistics shared by the Sebatik Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM), Pulau Sebatik in Malaysian territory has an estimated population of at least 28,000 people, comprising locals and foreign workers.
The island currently has 17 villages, including Kg Wallace Bay, Kg Mentadak Baru, Kg Tamang Lama, Kg Sungai Tamang, Kg Mentadak, Kg MESEJ Sungai Laba, Kg Sungai Lahi, Kg Sungai Tongkang, Kg Tongkang Lama, Kg Bergosong, Kg Bergosong Kecil, Kg Sungai Limau, Kg Pisak-Pisak, Kg Sungai Pukul, Kg Lahat-Lahat, Kg Sungai Melayu and Kg Hj Kuning.
