Water Dept suffers RM1 mln losses due to vandalism

The State Water Department has incurred losses amounting to RM1 million in the last three months due to vandalism and theft of generator sets and other equipment, according to its director Amarjit Singh

The State Water Department has incurred losses amounting to RM1 million in the last three months due to vandalism.

Sabah Water Department director Amarjit Singh said several incidents had been reported where the department's equipment were either vandalised or stolen by irresponsible individuals.

“The first two incidents happened when water pumps and cables were stolen from water tanks at both Taman Flamingo and Putra Jaya.

“Not long after that, water supply in Pulau Gaya was cut off and not in operation when generator sets were stolen from the island,” he said.

The latest incident is at the Sepanggar K2 Reservoir after several electrical components including cables were stolen.

Amarjit said the department only realised the incident when engineers were carrying out routine inspection at the reservoir.

Among the equipment stolen were compressor control panel, transmitter, data receiver, scale system, altitude valve and several main hole covers.

“All these missing and stolen components have caused system interruption of water flow, causing improper reading of data and distribution of water to residences in Sepanggar and as far as Likas,” he said.

Amarjit said the four reported cases of vandalism, in the past three months, had incurred close to RM1 million in losses to the department.

He said this had caused service interruptions to end-user and improper data reading at the department's headquarters.

Amarjit added that the department was in the process of installing closed-circuit camera (CCTV) in each of their water centres and had submitted paperwork to the Sabah Infrastructure Development Ministry for approval.

“I once again urge the public to stop disturbing or vandalising Sabah Water Department equipment as such act will affect everybody, including irresponsible,” he said. those

Several main hole covers were stolen from the Sepanggar K2 Reservoir.

Amarjit (right) showing components that were stolen from one of the department’s transmission systems.

Amarjit showing cables that were left behind by thieves at the Sepanggar K2 Reservoir.