Semporna water treatment plant, Pulau Gaya underwater pipe projects on MACC radar

Semporna water treatment plant, Pulau Gaya underwater pipe projects among those under commission’s watch

THE Semporna water treatment plant and Pulau Gaya underwater pipe projects are among the projects being scrutinised by the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission (MACC) as the probe into the mishandling of federal funds for rural development in Sabah picks up steam.

A source from MACC said the commission had a tactical team tasked with monitoring and inspecting projects executed under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

“It involves checking on the quality of work and anything related to the projects, whether they are complete, in progress, incomplete or a white elephant.

“For example, we are monitoring a RM45 million water treatment plant project in Semporna. The plant was demolished and was rebuilt, but has the same result.

“It did not benefit the people because the river was shallow and it (plant) could not supply water,” said the source.

When asked about the underwater pipe project to supply water to Pulau Gaya, the source said it was among the projects being monitored.

Yesterday, Berita Harian reported that up to 350 projects under the ministry were being scrutinised by MACC over allegations of embezzlement of RM1.5 billion in federal funds meant for rural development projects in the state.

The projects were carried out between 2010 and 2016 in nine districts, namely Kota Kinabalu, Kudat, Kota Belud, Ranau, Beaufort, Keningau, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Sandakan.

MACC estimates that RM1.5 billion was siphoned off from the RM7.69 billion allocated for projects in Sabah involving water, electricity and road infrastructure development.

According to the report, of the RM7.69 billion allocation, RM2 billion was believed to be channelled into 170 projects for developing clean water supply infrastructure; RM3.5 billion was allocated for 163 road infrastructure projects; and RM2.19 billion went into 17 electricity infrastructure projects.

In November last year, Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai revealed that more than 10,000 people from four villages on Pulau Gaya had yet to receive clean water supply although reservoir tanks were provided.

Yeo said the first phase of the water pipe installation to the is land by the state’s Water Department was completed on Dec 26, 2011. The project, which was expected to be completed by Sept 2015, was, however, delayed for another six months.

Yeo said the project was funded by the ministry with an allocation of RM93 million, but the water supply only reached Gaya Island Resort and not the villages as stated in the scope of works.

Early this week, MACC detained and remanded three individuals, including Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Datuk Peter Anthony over alleged corrupt practices.

Papar Umno Youth chief Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali urged the people not to speculate on the arrest of individuals over their alleged involvement in the misappropriation of federal-funded projects.

He said certain quarters had described MACC’s probe into the case as a “witch hunt” and an “occupational hazard”.

“It is unfortunate that some chose to make conspiracy theories about the probe, which is said to involve the Rural and Regional Development Ministry.

“The arrests made by MACC must be commended as we have heard stories about the ministry’s alleged misuse of power and poorly executed projects since 2010,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Armizan said the investigation was vital as it involved large sums of money being siphoned off from projects to help the poor.

“More often than not, we tend to point fingers at the Federal Government, claiming Sabahans have always been overlooked.

“We are grateful because millions of ringgit have been channelled to Sabah by the Federal Government,” he said.