KOTA KINABALU: Sabah must prepare for the current hot spell with proactive measures amid concerns over potential water shortages, says the state chapter of the National Consumer Foundation Malaysia (YPNM).
Its state chairman David Chan said the government must remain vigilant and act in light of the current hot and dry weather conditions affecting the state, hardly a month after severe floods hit many districts.
With temperatures expected to rise significantly in the coming weeks, Chan said, there is a growing concern about potential water shortages, particularly in rural areas and areas prone to low pressure.
"Early preparedness is critical to ensure continuous and equitable water supply to all consumers," he said on Monday (March 23).
The group urged the state Water Department to take urgent preventive actions, including strengthening monitoring and maintenance to detect and repair leaking pips promptly so that treated clean water is not wasted.
"It should also enhance response time for reported water disruptions and infrastructure failures, and also deploy enough water tankers to areas experiencing low pressure or supply interruptions, especially villages and remote communities," he said.
Such contingency plans will ensure uninterrupted water supply during dry periods, he added.
"YPNM stresses that treated water is a valuable resource, and any leakage or inefficiency not only leads to wastage but also places additional strain on already vulnerable supply systems.
"We further urge the state government to coordinate closely with relevant agencies to ensure that all necessary mitigation measures are in place to safeguard the welfare of the people.
"Access to clean water is a basic necessity and must be prioritised, particularly during extreme weather conditions," he added.
He said that the association remains committed to advocating for consumers’ rights and will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that consumers' needs are not compromised.
"Prevention is always better than crisis management. Early action today will prevent hardship tomorrow," he said.
Sabah was hit by floods and landslides from February to early March, with more than 10,000 people evacuated.
In the last two weeks, the state has been experiencing a hot and dry spell.
