Musa Aman: Sabah hit by water shortages

KOTA KINABALU: Water shortages have hit various parts of Sabah including Pekan Nabalu at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Musa said the ongoing El Nino-induced drought had also caused a water supply shortfall at Pulau Banggi and Pitas in northern Sabah as well as Pulau Sebatik in the east coast.

He added that the Water Department and other authorities have begun sending water to people in the affected areas, and that he had also directed the State Disaster Relief Committee headed by State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman to closely monitor and implement measures to overcome the water shortage.

Musa said in a statement late Wednesday that he had also reminded district Disaster Relief Committees to be alert and monitor the water supply situation in their respective areas.

He also reminded the public to conserve water in light of the dry spell that is expected to last till June.

"There is also a high incidence of bush and forest fires that has deteriorated our air quality. Therefore I would also like to remind people to be responsible and not to resort to open burning which would worsen the haze," said Musa.