Sabah gets nod for 83 water projects

Cultural immersion: Ahmad Zahid (left) visiting a craft exhibition after a meeting with the Sabah Rural Development Ministry. Also present were Sabah Rural Development Minister Datuk Rubin Balang (second from right) and Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang (right). — Bernama

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has been given the authority to implement 83 rural water supply projects in the state worth over RM4.06bil, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this decision was made on March 17, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Sabah and Sarawak to monitor late and sick projects.

He described the move and decentralisation of power as a game-changer in addressing project delays while ensuring a more stable water supply for rural communities in the state.

“This reflects Putrajaya’s full confidence in the capability of the Sabah administration,” Ahmad Zahid said after a meeting with Sabah Rural Development Minis­try, and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry officials.

Ahmad Zahid said the move was necessary to resolve issues invol­ving numerous stalled rural water supply projects, some dating back to the 11th Malaysia Plan.

Of the 83 projects, 37 are currently at the pre-implementation stage.

He said delays were among ­others, due to planning permits, geographical and location based specifications, and issues which local or state authorities needed to resolve.

Ahmad Zahid said these projects would be undertaken mainly by the State Public Works Depart­ment, Irrigation and Drainage Department, and the Water Department, overseen by the Rural Development Ministry.

To ensure effective implementation and to identify priority projects, he said a high level committee had been set up and would begin meeting next week.

He said the decentralisation had no connection with discussions related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 but was instead a proactive measure outside that framework for the benefit and well-being of Sabahans.

For other projects under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry that could also be han­ded to Sabah to handle, Ahmad Zahid said it would depend on how these rural water supply projects progress.

Ahmad Zahid also commended the Sabah government’s swift commitment in addressing the issue, noting that 184 new positions, including engineers and technicians, have been created to facilitate project implementation.

He urged all parties to set aside political differences to ensure pledges by parties forming the Sabah government following the last state election are translated into reality.