KOTA KINABALU: Mystery surrounds the source of a water leak that has been damaging the high-traffic Lorong Bersatu in Damai here for months.
Various authorities, including the Water Department and Sewage Department, as well as local authorities, have dismissed that the persistent water leak was caused by any of their pipes.
Frustrated Likas assemblyman Tham Yun Fook now wants state Works and Utility Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam to go to the ground with all relevant agencies to ascertain the source and the cause of the leak, if left unresolved, could lead to more serious problems, including a road collapse.
“This issue has dragged on for months without a conclusive solution. I urge the Sabah Works Minister to intervene directly in coordinating all relevant agencies so that the matter can be resolved more effectively and urgently,” he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 27).
“My office has repeatedly lodged complaints and carried out follow-ups with all relevant agencies, including Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), the Sabah Water Department, the Public Works Department, the Sewerage Department, as well as the road maintenance concession company, in efforts to identify and resolve the actual source of the water leakage.
“Unfortunately, until today, the true source of the water flow has yet to be fully identified,” he said.
Jalan Bersatu, now riddled with potholes due to the leak, is a very busy road catering for two hospitals - a government and private hospital -situated along it.
The Parti Warisan assemblyman said that the Water Department informed him that overflowing water at the location was not caused by a treated water pipe leak, as tests showed that the water did not contain chlorine.
“At the same time, the Sewerage Department also confirmed that there are no sewerage pipelines located within the area,” he added.
Tham said he invited all relevant departments and agencies to conduct an integrated site inspection, including excavation works on the road, to trace the actual source of the leakage.
However, he said the overflowing water issue continues to persist, and based on the latest report from JKR, efforts to identify the source of the leakage are still ongoing.
“This situation has not only caused public concern, but also poses the risk of more serious incidents such as soil subsidence or road collapse if the underground road structure continues to be affected by the continuous water flow,” he added.
