Sabah's power and water woes: Is there light at the end of the tunnel, state govt asked

KOTA KINABALU: Businesses and consumers in Sabah want to know if there is any end in sight to the recurring water and power shortages in the state.

Sabah West Coast Smart Consumers Association president David Chan said the utility supply problems only seem to get worse.

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“Is there no way to properly address and solve this issue?” he said here on Tuesday (April 11).

In Chan's view, the authorities must make a commitment to solve these serious issues and immediately bring all relevant stakeholders, agencies and ministries together to find a solution.

“Consumers are in the dark because there are no apparent corrective or contingency plans,” Chan added.

“The government should not disregard consumers' complaints because we are worried that the water supply issues will only get worse."

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Chan suggested that the Federal Government step in to help, as it did in the past, but this should be a matter of last resort.

“The state government could consider privatising the utilities and hiring experienced companies to take over the management and operations.

"This benefits the government and solves the problem at one go," he said.

Chan also pointed out the same old piping system is in use after decades while the population and industries have grown considerably.

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The main problem the Sabah Water Department is facing is that the piping system and design have not been upgraded, he added.

Asked if a dam could solve the problem, he said it was more important to increase the number of treatment plants and upgrade the water distribution system.

Sabah Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) president Datuk Ladislaus Maluda said the ongoing water and power disruptions have led to frequent complaints from frustrated users, especially business operators.

“Electricity and water are basic utilities which are a necessity for the food and beverage industry, services sector, laundromats, accommodation providers, factories and manufacturers,” he said.

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Many business operators in these sectors had taken to social media to air their grievances, he added.

“The blackouts seem to be occurring more frequently these days. Perhaps the authorities lack sufficient manpower to address the simultaneous breakdowns?” he said.

Ladislaus hoped concrete measures will be taken instead of the authorities merely saying that plans are being drawn up all the time.