KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Water Department will now provide an hourly update on water levels at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) R13 tank, says state Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
He said the move is 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 visit UMS once that is completed to ensure smooth coordination between both parties,” he said after distributing fresh beef to the needy in Putatan in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration.
He was responding to UMS vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansur’s criticism of the water department’s statement on May 29, which said the university had always received sufficient water and that internal technical issues were to blame for any disruption.
The department’s statement, issued on May 29 said that the R13 tank in UMS “has never been empty” and that any shortcomings were because of internal pumping issues.
But Kasim said the real issue lies in the location of UMS and the way the water supply is distributed.
He explained that the core issue lies not in equipment failure but in the university’s higher elevation and the distribution pattern of water from the R13 tank, which also supplies nearby commercial and government areas.
Despite its proximity, UMS is often the last to receive water due to its location on higher ground.
Kasim said UMS has resorted to using tube wells and harvesting rainwater, but these measures could only supply a fraction of the 3.5 to 5 million litres needed daily.
Shahelmey said the department’s records showed consistent supply since May 19.
However, from May 14 to 19, one of UMS’ pumps was inoperable, 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,” he added. The university serves 23,000 students.
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 between both parties.
Meanwhile, UMS student group Suara Mahasiswa urged the university to take legal action against the water department and is demanding RM100mil in damages for what it claimed was 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 demanded a public apology from the water department.
The chapter’s chairman David Chan said the department’s statement is not just misleading but also disrespectful and damaging to a respected institution of higher learning.
He added the department had wrongfully blamed UMS’ internal systems without technical consultation or verification.
