Govt addressing decades-old water problem
KOTA KINABALU: The state government is facing a water supply problem that has been accumulating for over 20 years, said Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Moyog chief Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun.
If the work had not been carried out, it could have led to critical water problems in the future. Jetama has committed to replacing the two megaliters of water lost due to this activity through the Kesigui water treatment plant.
— Datuk Ceasar Mandela Malakun, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Moyog chief
Efforts to address the water problem in Sabah have been somewhat delayed, not only due to the water distribution system but also driven by inefficient and non-integrated administrative challenges, said Mandela.
Most of the water treatment plants (LRA) throughout the state are approaching two decades in age, he pointed out.
Nevertheless, he praised the government’s efforts in improving the water supply system, acknowledging the seriousness of the current state leadership under the guidance of the Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, and the Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister of Works, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
Mandela who is also Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Penampang Youth movement chief, pointed out that in the past three years of the current state administration, various initiatives have been implemented to address short-term and long-term water issues.
“Among them is the project to increase the capacity of the Telibong II water treatment plant from 80 million litres per day (MLD) to 160 MLD, involving main pipelines and storage tanks to cope with the high population growth and rapid development in the northern and central areas of Sabah.
“This project is expected to increase the supply and water storage capacity from 94.6 million litres (ML) to 163.3 ML,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
Mandela also expressed disappointment with irresponsible parties manipulating the recent developments of upgrading projects and maintenance of water distribution systems using the affected water supply issue.
For example, he clarified a notice issued by the Sabah State Water Department on March 6, regarding a 10-day water disruption in the Kota Kinabalu area, attributing it to the misinterpretation of the notice.
He explained that the situation arose due to maintenance work on Filter Media No. 3 (189 MLD to 187 MLD) at the Moyog water treatment plant.
“If the work had not been carried out, it could have led to critical water problems in the future. Jetama has committed to replacing the two megaliters of water lost due to this activity through the Kesigui water treatment plant,” he said.
He stressed that the current government needs space to address these basic needs, and too much impact from the previous administration’s negligence poses a challenge.
However, with a good action plan and synergy between the state and federal governments, the process can be facilitated.
Mandela also expressed appreciation for the RM300 million loan allocation last year and four new projects approved under the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK-12) Fourth Rolling Plan, totaling RM200 million to address short-term water supply issues in Sabah.
“Recently, an additional RM100 million allocation has been requested,” he said, adding that the current state government is the most committed to resolving the state’s water issues.
Initiatives range from technical strategies such as replacing main pipelines after cracking down on water theft to address NonRevenue Water (NRW) issues, upgrading water treatment plants (LRA) to accommodate more water supply, and implementing integrity and anti-corruption plans at the State Water Department to prevent governance misconduct issues.
He also hoped that the community would play a role in consumption and understand the necessary steps if the state Water Department needs to carry out water cuts or disruptions to allow essential work to be done.
Mandela reminded everyone that these measures are for the sustainability of the water supply system for the future.
“Increasing the level of operation and water supply services is crucial, especially in areas around Kota Kinabalu, with an estimated population of 441,000 people, and expanding water supply coverage to the north of the west coast, such as Tuaran, Telipok, Menggatal, Inanam, and Likas,” he said.