KOTA KINABALU: Sabotage could have caused the severe water disruption in Kinarut and its surrounding areas that has affected thousands of families since December 2025, says Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The Papar MP said a ground team from the state Water Department found elements of tampering on two booster pumps.
"These two booster pumps provide water to the Kinarut and Kawang areas.
"The team found tampering of the sluice valves," he said in a statement on Friday (Jan 9) after meeting with assemblymen, contractors, Sabah Water Department officials and other agencies involved.
Armizan said water supply meant for Kinarut and Kawang elsewhere was channelled elsewhere, compounding water rationing issues due to the construction of the Kogopon 2 water treatment plant.
"We want to know whether there is possible sabotage of public utilities or other criminal motives behind this," he said.
He also ensured that water would be brought in with water tankers, pipes installed from the treatment plant directly to the Kawang main tank and the capacity of the existing plant would be increased by 10%.
"The Water Department has been given a target of two weeks before for the Kogopon 2 treatment plant to start operating, scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2026," he said.
Over the past two weeks, social media has been abuzz with complaints from villagers who have to depend on rainwater, rivers, store-bought water as well as water tanks for their everyday use.
