RM3mil allocation for UMS being used to build six wells, redo piping, says VC

KOTA KINABALU: The RM3mil allocated to Universiti Malaysia Sabah is being used accordingly to overcome water supply issues at the varsity, says its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Md Mansur (pic).

He said the funds, which were announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2023, are for the construction of six wells as well as a new piping system.

He added work on one well had been done with the remaining wells expected to be completed by March 2024.

"We are working hard to resolve this problem as our priority is to provide good facilities to our students besides aiming for academic excellence," he was quoted as saying in local news reports.

He said that payment from the RM3mil fund was based on work completion, adding they were pushing to expedite the construction.

Prof Kasim also said allocation funds were not held by the varsity itself but by the Implementation and Coordination Unit under the Prime Minister's Department.

"My concern as a vice-chancellor of an institution of higher learning is to make things clear and I urge the public not to politicise the issue, it will create worry among the parents.

"I can assure the money has not gone missing or used inappropriately. We uphold the highest level of integrity over public funds," he said.

UMS board of directors chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the presence of squatter colonies was among the contributors to the water woes at UMS.

Some 18 million litres of water are being stolen every day through illegal water connections made to the colonies, which have some 12,000 houses, he added.