a day ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Fadillah: Federal govt helps Sabah improve public health and flood mitigation
KOTA KINABALU: The federal government, through the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, is stepping up efforts to improve public health infrastructure and flood resilience in Sabah.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the Putatan Phase 1 Centralised Sewerage Scheme, valued at RM134.4 million, is currently 69.85 per cent complete as of last month.
"Launched in December 2020, the project aims to upgrade sewage infrastructure in the rapidly urbanising Putatan district.
"It is slated for completion by March 3, 2026," he said after visiting the project near here.
The scope of the project includes a new sewage treatment plant with a 50,000 population equivalent (PE) capacity and 9.9km of new sewage pipeline network, the rationalisation of three existing small-scale sewage treatment plants, and the construction of a 60m pipe bridge.
Fadillah, who is energy transition and water transformation minister, said one of the major challenges in implementation has been the discovery of large boulders underground, which delayed pipe-laying works.
"The contractor has increased the number of pipe jacking teams to three as of June 2025, allowing simultaneous work at project sites.
"The project is expected to significantly enhance public sanitation, improve environmental sustainability, and support long-term development in the Putatan area."
Meanwhile, the Sungai Damai Flood Mitigation Project (RTB) in Basin 8 is some 54 per cent completed.
This RM48 million project is part of the federal government Development Expenditure channeled to Sabah through the ministry.
It began in September 2023 and is targeted for completion by July 2026.
The project includes upgrading drainage systems, constructing a pumping station, building culverts and flood control gates.
These interventions are expected to protect around 17,500 residents in the surrounding areas from recurrent flooding.
This year, the ministry has approved development expenditure of RM153.3 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan (Rolling Plan 5) for 27 projects under the Drainage and Irrigation Department.
These projects cover flood mitigation, coastal erosion control, river mouth rehabilitation, riverbank stabilisation, and mechanical and electrical works.
