Kota Kinabalu: Likas Assemblyman Tham Yun Fook called for immediate emergency action and the accelerated replacement of aging water pipes following another underground pipe leakage near SM Kian Kok that disrupted water supply to surrounding residents, recently.
Tham said the latest incident was especially worrying as it occurred shortly after repair and replacement works were carried out on leaking pipes near the Keramat Cemetery area, where residents had previously endured several days without water supply.
He said another leakage occurring in a nearby location clearly showed that almost the entire old water pipe system in the area had become severely aged and was now in critical condition.
Tham said he had previously raised the issue during the recent State Legislative Assembly sitting and was informed that the government already had plans to replace the aging pipes.
However, he stressed that residents should not be forced to continue enduring repeated water supply disruptions while waiting for long-term projects to be implemented.
“Residents are not only facing difficulties in their daily lives, but many businesses are also suffering losses due to the frequent water supply interruptions,” he said.
He added that the situation had gone on for too long and could no longer be treated as a normal issue.
Tham urged the relevant minister and departments to take immediate emergency measures, including carrying out comprehensive maintenance works and expediting the replacement of aging water pipes in Kota Kinabalu, especially in Likas and surrounding areas.
He also said the government should stop giving excuses that projects were still being planned and stop replacing pipes only after leakages occurred while the people continued to suffer water shortages almost every week.
“Basic water supply is a necessity for the people, not a luxury,” he said.
Tham said he would continue to monitor the matter closely and apply pressure until concrete action was taken in the interest of the people.
