logo
Water supply at UMS stabilises after misunderstanding resolved

Water supply at UMS stabilises after misunderstanding resolved

The Sun05-06-2025
KOTA KINABALU: The water supply disruption plaguing Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) was caused by a misunderstanding between the university and the Sabah Water Department (JANS) regarding the existing indicator at the R13 water tank.
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is also the State Works Minister said the issue is currently being addressed, and the current indicator would be replaced with a digital version within a week.
'A series of discussions between JANS and UMS, coordinated by the Sabah Works Ministry, as well as site visits to UMS have been conducted to resolve the water issue. We concluded that the water supply was not efficiently channelled due to a misunderstanding.
'However, this has been effectively resolved, and based on continuous monitoring since mid-May, the water supply at UMS has remained stable to date,' he said in a press conference, here today.
Shahelmey said to address external constraints such as water theft, incomplete pipeline installations, and other factors, JANS and UMS have been urged to work more closely to resolve or minimise water supply issues.
'Through these discussions, JANS and UMS have agreed to cooperate, both in technical and communication aspects. JANS is also committed to ensuring that the volume of water entering the R13 tank remains sufficient and consistent, and will work with UMS on pump operations.
'Additionally, UMS must ensure that internal water distribution within the campus is well managed. JANS is also prepared to offer guidance and support in handling the university's internal water distribution if needed,' he said.
Meanwhile, on the Telibong II pipeline project, Shahelmey said the Sabah government through JANS, is currently undertaking pipe installation works under phase II of the project.
The project is expected to be completed by early July and will serve the Sepanggar and Northern Kota Kinabalu areas.
'It is hoped that once the pipe installation is complete, water distribution to Sepanggar and Northern Kota Kinabalu will improve and water supply issues will be minimised,' he said.
At the same time, Shahelmey said the Urgent Water Supply Scheme (UWSS) project at the Kasigui Penampang water treatment plant, which was originally scheduled for completion in April, has been delayed due to several issues, including unpredictable weather since early this year.
'It should have been operational by now, but there have been constraints. However, I have been informed that it is expected to be fully completed by early July.
'Once completed, the project would benefit users in Penampang, Putatan, Kota Kinabalu and surrounding areas,' he added.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sabahans ‘numb' over delays in infrastructure projects, says Warisan MP
Sabahans ‘numb' over delays in infrastructure projects, says Warisan MP

Free Malaysia Today

time2 days ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Sabahans ‘numb' over delays in infrastructure projects, says Warisan MP

Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis criticised contractors and lobbyists for contributing to the chronic delays in completing infrastructure projects in Sabah. KUALA LUMPUR : Sabahans have become desensitised to infrastructure delays after years of seeing numerous projects stalled or left incomplete, a Warisan MP said today. Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud) criticised contractors and lobbyists for contributing to the chronic delays, stating that many aggressively lobbied for projects they were not capable of executing. 'My message to the contractors and lobbyists is, if you want to submit tenders, be honest about your capacity. 'If you think you can't handle the project, don't lobby for it. Do not create more problems for others,' she said when debating the 2025 Auditor-General's Report Series 2 in the Dewan Rakyat. Last month, Sabah works minister Shahelmey Yahya said physical progress on Package 20 of the Pan Borneo Highway project in Sabah remained low at just 1.6% despite letters of acceptance having been issued eight months ago. In a Bernama report, Shahelmy, who is also the state's deputy chief minister III, attributed the delay to ongoing land and property assessment processes. Isnaraissah also raised concerns over the multiple layers of subcontracting in federal infrastructure projects, saying the system left no actual 'doers' on the ground in Sabah. 'The ones awarded the project hire subcontractors, who in turn hire other subcontractors. In the end, no one takes responsibility and the work doesn't get done,' she said. She questioned the works ministry's decision to use the selected pre-qualified open tender procurement system for Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project, an issue which was also flagged in the Auditor-General's Report Series 2. The report, tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, said open tenders were more suitable to ensure accountability and transparency in the procurement process.

Cost-saving, eco-friendly solution
Cost-saving, eco-friendly solution

New Straits Times

time2 days ago

  • New Straits Times

Cost-saving, eco-friendly solution

PHOTOVOLTAIC solar energy systems allow us to generate our own electricity, significantly reducing electricity bills — and in some cases, eliminating them. In Malaysia, a photovoltaic solar system with a capacity of around 5 kW can produce up to 600 kWh of electricity per month, which is enough to cover 70 per cent to 100 per cent of a typical household's electricity needs. Once seen as a luxury only accessible to the wealthy, solar panels are now gaining traction among homeowners as a modern, eco-friendly, and cost-effective solution. For Saiful Nizam Abu Bakar, 44, the switch to solar energy began in August last year after years of paying around RM700 monthly for electricity to support a household of seven. Saiful said he received a RM4,000 rebate through a solar incentive scheme at the time and paid only RM23,000 to install 14 solar panels on his roof. "Although I have to pay RM300 in monthly instalments for five years (to finance the solar system), after that I no longer have to worry about electricity bills. My bill used to be RM700 a month — now it's just RM40," he said. Beyond rebates through solar incentive schemes, financing options from local banks help ease the initial cost of installing photovoltaic systems. Gan Yong Li, 38, said that the option to pay in instalments has made solar energy more appealing to the public. Like Saiful, he received a RM4,000 rebate and installed 10 panels on his home. "My electricity bill used to be nearly RM400 a month. Since installing solar panels, it has dropped to just about RM10 a month," he said. "Sometimes it goes over RM100 when I charge the car more often, but it's usually below RM100," he said. For Gan, one interesting aspect is that the maintenance cost of solar panels is minimal. They need to be cleaned only occasionally, and usually, the rain will wash away most of the dirt. SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION Meanwhile, senior lecturer and energy manager at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Dr Wan Khairul Muzammil Abd Rahim, described solar energy as a smart choice, capable of reducing electricity bills by more than 90 per cent. "Financing options like solar leasing and zero upfront cost models make solar power more accessible," he said. He said solar technology costs in Malaysia have dropped by 30 per cent to 50 per cent over the past five years, thanks to advancements and increased competition. "Generating your own electricity also shields you from inflation. It's a proactive investment for an uncertain future," he added. More importantly, solar energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels like coal, thereby lowering carbon emissions and improving air quality. This shift aligns with Malaysia's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in response to global climate change. | With rapid technological advancements, growing climate awareness, and rising living costs, solar energy is proving to be a highly worthwhile long-term investment. Supported by government incentives, substantial cost savings, and easy, affordable maintenance, there's no reason to wait. Visit or consult a certified solar photovoltaic system provider to take the first step toward a more sustainable energy future.

Overhaul pipelines to resolve Sabah's water woes - expert
Overhaul pipelines to resolve Sabah's water woes - expert

Borneo Post

time4 days ago

  • Borneo Post

Overhaul pipelines to resolve Sabah's water woes - expert

Amarjit Singh KOTA KINABALU (July 21): Sabah's chronic water supply problems are unlikely to be resolved unless the state urgently replaces its ageing pipeline network, despite millions being spent on new treatment plants, says a water expert. Former Sabah Water Department director Datuk Amarjit Singh warned that the core issue lies not in production capacity, but in the state's deteriorating water distribution system. Most of Sabah's pipelines, many made of asbestos cement and decades old, can no longer handle the increased volumes produced by upgraded treatment facilities. 'The problem will remain as long as the pipes are not replaced to match the upgraded plant capacity,' he said in a statement today. 'You can treat five million litres a day, but if the pipes can't deliver it, people still won't get water.' Amarjit, a water engineer by training, was responding to Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya's remarks regarding continued supply disruptions in Putatan and Kota Kinabalu, even though the new Kasigui treatment plant in Penampang is already producing treated water. Shahelmey recently expressed frustration over the issue, noting that the plant, which has a capacity of five million litres per day, is only producing three to four million litres due to distribution limitations. Amarjit also referred to Shahelmey's statement in the Sabah Legislative Assembly last week that approximately 1,200 kilometres of old pipelines would be replaced in phases. Contractors have been appointed since last year to repair damaged pipes in critical areas including Sandakan, Keningau and Kota Kinabalu. The replacement works are being carried out alongside major water supply initiatives under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan. These include 18 projects on the West Coast, 15 in the interior, 12 in Tawau, five in Sandakan and two in Kudat. In preparation for the 13th Malaysia Plan, the state is also conducting district-level water supply studies to support short-, medium- and long-term master plans. These will contribute to a broader state Water Grid strategy aimed at ensuring stable and sustainable access to treated water across Sabah. Additional proposals have been submitted to the federal Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. They include resolving long-standing shortages in Tawau and Sandakan, reducing non-revenue water losses in Keningau and Beaufort, replacing ageing pipelines in urban and suburban areas, and constructing pre-sedimentation tanks at 22 treatment plants statewide. Three new rural water supply projects in Kinabatangan, Beluran and Pitas have also been approved under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. Shahelmey acknowledged legal and regulatory hurdles, noting that under the Water Supply Enactment 2003 (Amendment 2022), the Water Department (JANS) is only authorised to supply treated water to registered consumers. However, JANS is open to supporting other agencies undertaking alternative supply solutions. Amarjit stressed that unless there is a comprehensive and timely overhaul of the entire pipeline infrastructure, Sabah's water delivery problems — both in urban centres and rural communities — will continue. 'You can't push more water through brittle, undersized and leaking pipes and expect consistent supply,' he said. In September 2023, Putrajaya approved a RM300 million soft loan to Sabah for short-term water crisis fixes. An additional RM6 million has been allocated to address water supply issues at Universiti Malaysia Sabah — RM3 million from the Prime Minister, RM2 million from the Higher Education Minister, and RM1 million recently announced by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister. Between 2001 and 2014, the federal government spent RM11.115 billion on infrastructure in Sabah, including RM4 billion on water-related projects. Recently, former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee proposed that the Sabah Water Department be dissolved and replaced with a professional statutory body to manage the state's water supply.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store