KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Shahelmey Yahya has assured Sabah residents that the recent notice regarding illegal water pumps is not an immediate crackdown but rather an advisory campaign aimed at educating consumers on proper pump installation.
Addressing concerns over the March 3 notice issued by the Sabah Water Department, the Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III said there had been some confusion regarding its intent, as it was widely perceived as a strict enforcement measure.
“The reality is that many individuals and commercial businesses have installed water pumps that may not comply with regulations.
"This notice serves as an awareness campaign to encourage consumers to check whether their pumps are installed correctly,” he said at a press conference in Sandakan Wednesday (March 5).
Many Sabah residents have expressed frustration over the notice, arguing that enforcement is unfair when water supply remains unreliable.
Warisan’s Samuel Chin and Karamunting assemblyman Datuk George Hiew have urged authorities to prioritise fixing infrastructure and tackling illegal tampering instead.
Shahelmey, who is also Sabah Works Minister, explained that the department would not carry out immediate enforcement but would focus on targeted actions in areas where improper pump installations are significantly affecting water pressure.
However, he did not provide details on what types of pumps are considered illegal, the proper installation method, or how residents can determine if their pumps comply with regulations.
He said pumps installed directly onto main supply meters disrupt water pressure, leaving some parts of a neighbourhood with water while others go dry.
This, he added, has worsened supply issues in several housing areas across Sabah, particularly in high-rise buildings.
Acknowledging Sabah’s ongoing water crisis, Shahelmey said the government is working to stabilise supply but stressed that the problem cannot be solved overnight.
“If fixing the water supply were as simple as flipping a switch, we would have done it already. But it is a complex issue that requires time and effort,” he said.
He assured consumers that enforcement would only be carried out in problem areas where improper pump usage is severely disrupting supply, rather than through a widespread crackdown.
“Yes, stabilising the water supply is our priority, and we are working very hard to achieve that. But at the same time, we need to address issues where improper pump usage is making things worse for certain communities,” he said.
Shahelmey also responded to criticism that the government should first ensure stable water supply before penalising consumers.
While acknowledging residents’ frustration, he said illegal pump installations are part of the issue, worsening supply shortages for others.
He assured that the government is committed to improving water infrastructure and urged public cooperation to ensure fair distribution.
