KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is ramping up efforts to address road damage, water supply issues, and project delays, with key agencies set to meet next week to coordinate solutions.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said all district engineers and concessionaires under the Sabah Public Works Department (PWD) will be called for a meeting following concerns raised by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor during a recent state cabinet meeting.
“The meeting will focus on minimising potholes across the state within an acceptable time frame. At the same time, we are implementing short, medium and long-term plans to improve water supply based on different areas,” he told reporters after officiating a Chap Goh Mei celebration in Putatan on Wednesday (Feb 12).
Meanwhile, the Works Department said PWD is taking decisive steps to repair roads damaged by recent floods and landslides, with emergency measures in place to restore access to affected areas.
“PWD is updating reports on complaints and damages caused by the recent floods, as some areas are still affected. If a road is cut off, they will take emergency action to repair it or provide a temporary alternative route that is safe for use,” he said.
He stressed that maintaining key transport links is a top priority, adding that extensive damage may require immediate design works and recovery efforts.
Shahelmey also highlighted the government’s efforts to address project delays, revealing that many of the 400 projects previously reported as stalled were actually terminated and are now being revived.
“We will hold monthly monitoring meetings to identify projects that can be implemented as soon as possible. We are also requesting a detailed breakdown to determine which projects have yet to commence,” he explained.
At the Chap Goh Mei celebration, Shahelmey urged Putatan residents to uphold unity, stressing that a strong community is essential for continued development and prosperity.
The event drew around 1,000 attendees, featuring a traditional lion dance and the distribution of angpau to senior citizens, children, and other guests.
