KOTA KINABALU: Sabah needs real solutions to its never-ending water crisis, which is becoming severe, with the state capital and surrounding areas running out of water, says a Parti Warisan leader.
Warisan Kota Kinabalu division information chief Samuel Wong said the state government had made enough excuses over the last three years, but the water crisis had only become "very serious."
He said State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya's explanation of shortages in Kota Kinabalu's neighbouring Penampang and Putatan failed to address the issues.
Wong said that many areas in Kota Kinabalu, like Kingfisher, Likas, Kota Kinabalu City Centre and Telipok had been hit with water issues despite not being a part of water rationing in Penampang and Putatan. “The issues in these areas might differ but are equally critical. These areas face frequent low water pressure,” Wong said in a statement on Friday (Jan 17).
He said the state government had not presented effective solutions or improvements to the issues for years.
“It doesn’t make any sense that we’re dealing with these water shortages when we receive sufficient rainfall each year, including weeks of heavy rains just recently at the start of 2025,” he added.
Wong also called on Sabah Water Department director Quirine Jokinol to be more accountable and responsible for explaining the ongoing issues as well as the department’s short-term and long-term plans to resolve them clearly and in detail.
“The residents are tired, and the local businesses are suffering. Amidst the current economic challenges, they now have to deal with the additional burden of securing water for daily needs. It’s simply too much,” Wong said.
He said that occasional water issues might be understandable; however, it is unacceptable for residents to endure days, weeks, and months without water.
