KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Water Department will now provide an hourly update on water levels at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s R13 tank, says state Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
He said the move aims to help UMS manage its pumping schedule more effectively and ensure better water distribution on campus.
“A new water level indicator has been ordered and should be installed within one or two weeks. I will revisit UMS once that is completed to ensure smooth coordination between both parties,” he told reporters after distributing fresh beef from 30 cows to the needy in Putatan in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha on Tuesday (June 3).
He was responding to UMS vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansur’s strong criticism of the water department’s May 29 statement, which claimed the university had always received sufficient water and that internal technical issues were to blame for any disruptions.
Kasim described the claim as “a lie” and “insulting to our intelligence,” pointing instead to UMS’ higher elevation and the distribution pattern from the R13 tank, which also supplies nearby commercial and government areas, as the root of the issue.
Acknowledging these concerns, Shahelmey said the department’s records showed consistent supply since May 19.
However, he explained that from May 14 to 19, one of UMS’ pumps was down, possibly affecting water delivery to the campus.
“That issue has since been resolved. This coordination is especially crucial as students are sitting for their exams in June,” the Deputy Chief Minister III added.
Shahelmey explained that discrepancies in reports arose when student leaders accused the department of making false claims.
Site inspections two weeks ago revealed that while the department recorded sufficient water levels in the R13 tank, UMS reported otherwise, due to a faulty tank indicator that led to miscommunication.
Earlier, Kasim said: “If water supply was sufficient, the students would not be protesting. To say it is always enough is a lie. We are not stupid. Our job is to teach students, not to provide water.”
He added that the university, which serves over 23,000 students and staff, had sent several letters to the department since 2020 without receiving a formal response.
Kasim also dismissed claims of faulty internal equipment, stating: “We have three functioning pumps. Even when one failed, it was fixed within three days. The system works when there is enough water. Do not use the pump as an excuse.”
He said UMS had resorted to using tube wells and harvesting rainwater, but these measures could only supply a fraction of the 3.5 to 5mil litres needed daily.
In a related development, UMS student group Suara Mahasiswa has urged the university to take legal action against the water department and is demanding RM100mil in damages for years of water disruption and the financial burden it placed on students.
A peaceful rally is planned for June 21 and 22.
The National Consumer Foundation Malaysia Sabah Chapter has also weighed in, demanding a public apology from the water department.
“The department’s statement is not just misleading but also disrespectful and damaging to a respected institution of higher learning,” said the chapter’s chairman David Chan.
He said the department had wrongfully blamed UMS’ internal systems without technical consultation or verification.
“UMS is staffed by experts, including engineers with Master’s and PhD qualifications. To imply poor internal management is a blatant dismissal of their capabilities and deeply insulting to the academic community,” he said.
Chan urged the department to retract its statement, apologise publicly, and work with UMS on long-term solutions.
“Public agencies must uphold transparency and professionalism, not resort to blame-shifting and reputation-damaging remarks,” he added.
