Ex-MP joins chorus for coastal reservoirs

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah, which is facing water supply problems in certain areas, can better capitalise on its abundant rainwater through coastal reservoirs instead of conventional dams, says an ex-lawmaker.

Former Penampang MP Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin said Sabah had the highest average annual rainfall in the country at 3,800mm, but the state only harvested 3% of this water source.

“Imagine the possibility of capturing more of the rainfall,” said Mojuntin, who is the latest to add his voice to the chorus of people urging the state government to build coastal reservoirs as opposed to conventional dams to resolve Sabah’s water woes.

“Coastal reservoirs are neither a novelty nor a curiosity. As I said seven years ago, coastal reservoirs as a solution for water supply shortages, have been constructed in China, South Korea, Hong Kong and other countries.

“Coastal reservoir technology could possibly be the best solution to ensure a sustainable supply of water, not only in the west coast but the whole of Sabah,” he said yesterday.

The advantages of a coastal reservoir, Mojuntin added, were that they are cheaper than constructing a conventional dam for the same volume of water and had an infinite lifespan if properly maintained.

He also said it would have no or minimal impact on the ecosystem, was sustainable, and would not involve flooding a large area of land nor the relocation of communities.

Calling it a proven system, Mojuntin added that, “unlike a conventional dam that relies on only rainfall, it also captures rainwater from catchment areas that normally end up in the sea”.

Last month, two grassroots movements objected to the construction of a dam following the state government’s announcement that it was conducting a feasibility study for building one in Papar or Penampang.

The Taskforce Against Kaiduan Dam (Takad) and Save Papar River (SPR) instead urged the government to review the plan and consider other alternatives.

Takad chairman Diana Sipail said International Water Association members Datuk Dr Amarjit Singh and Lim Sin Poh had proposed the construction of coastal reservoirs as opposed to dams.

This was not the first objection by local communities as they had been fighting against the dam’s construction since it was first proposed at Moyog (Penampang) over 10 years ago.

Mojuntin, the deputy president of Upko, a component party of Pakatan Harapan, said their concerns were not unfounded.

“Some promises to those relocated due to the construction of the Babagon Dam (an older dam in Penampang) have not been fulfilled after all these years.

“The people affected rightly felt that an injustice has been dealt to them despite their sacrifices,” he said.

Mojuntin said developed countries around the world had been decommissioning their dams at the end of their lifespan and were not building new ones due to their destructive effects on the environment and people.