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Daily Express
19-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Frustrated over water shortage despite new plant running
Published on: Saturday, July 19, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 19, 2025 By: Nora Ahmad Text Size: Shahelmey said once Phase 2 of the Telibong 2 Water Treatment Plant project is completed, water can be channelled to the Inanam and Sepanggar areas. PUTATAN: Sabah Public Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya expressed frustration over continued water supply disruptions in Putatan and city areas despite the new Kasigui Water Treatment Plant having begun producing treated water for both areas. Shahelmey, who is also a Deputy Chief Minister, said the Kasigui plant has a capacity of five million litres per day, but is currently only producing three to four million litres. Advertisement 'I'm personally quite disheartened. The new plant is already operational. I'm asking myself why the additional treated water still hasn't reached users. 'I instructed the State Water Department to investigate and they found the problem lay in the distribution network,' he told reporters after presenting awards to top 2024 STPM students, here, Friday. He said the situation which has impacted residents as well as five-star hotels and shopping malls is being addressed in stages. It was learnt that one hotel in KK had to resort to providing bottled water for guests to bathe. 'I received a flood of complaints last Monday. The moment I turned on my phone in Kuala Lumpur, they came pouring in. 'I immediately contacted JANS (department), and they found the disruptions were due to technical issues, including burst pipes, trapped air in pipelines and limited pump capacity.' Shahelmey said once Phase 2 of the Telibong 2 Water Treatment Plant project is completed, water can be channelled to the Inanam and Sepanggar areas. 'This will free up supply from the Moyog and Kasigui plants, which currently serve those areas, to be redirected to Kota Kinabalu and Putatan. 'As for the hotels, low pressure is due to their locations at the tail end of the distribution system. However, I was informed today that one hotel is satisfied with the current recovery plan.' He said strict monitoring is ongoing, and the government has implemented short-term contingency plans, including deploying water tankers to areas with low pressure. 'The recovery plan is being refined to ensure more efficient water distribution. God willing, we aim to resolve this issue within the week,' he said. When told that the water crisis is being exploited by the opposition ahead of the Sabah elections, Shahelmey urged for fairness. 'I'm confident that once the Telibong Phase 2 piping is fully installed, we will see a more stable water supply. Based on current projections, disruptions should be significantly reduced.' He acknowledged several ongoing challenges, including ageing infrastructure and water thefts. 'I remain confident we'll see a significant improvement by the end of this month. 'Constructive criticism is valid, but when people use AI-generated videos to smear the government, it damages not only the current administration's image but also the reputation of Sabah.' He the Government is working hard to address water issues which stemmed from legacy problems rather than the current administration's failings. 'These are the result of delays in past water infrastructure projects. We're now working to resolve them gradually,' he said. Sabah courts have also yet to conclude the state's longest and worst corruption scandal involving the State Water Department which is into its 18th year where an elaborate scheme involving then state ministers under Barisan Nasional and top department officials saw up to RM130 million meant for resolving water issues being pocketed. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
New water plant boosts supply in Putatan, Kota Kinabalu
Published on: Saturday, July 05, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 05, 2025 Text Size: Shahelmey speaking to the media after officiating the Putatan District Islamic Arts Festival and Maal Hijrah 1447H/2025M celebration at Dewan Sri Putatan today. PUTATAN: The new Kasigui Water Treatment Plant has begun supplying treated water in stages since June 26 and is expected to help stabilize water pressure in the Putatan and Kota Kinabalu areas in the near future. Deputy Chief Minister III and State Works Minister, Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya, said the plant is now operating at nearly full capacity after reaching 98 percent completion. Advertisement 'On June 26, the plant began producing between 1 and 2.5 million liters of water per day, and the output has been gradually increasing. By June 30, it had reached its full designed capacity of five million liters per day,' he told reporters after officiating the Islamic Arts Festival and Maal Hijrah District-level Celebration for Putatan at Dewan Sri Putatan on Friday. Shahelmey said the State Water Department is currently working on stabilizing water pressure in the Putatan and Kota Kinabalu areas, with early feedback showing signs of improvement, particularly in Putatan. 'I hope the pressure will continue to stabilize over the next one or two weeks and remain consistent moving forward,' he said. In a related development, Shahelmey explained that the recent water supply disruptions in several parts of Kota Kinabalu were due to damage at the old Kasigui plant, but repair works have since been completed. He also noted that pipe installation works for Phase Two of the Telibong 2 project are expected to be completed by early next week, depending on weather conditions. This will contribute to an increased water supply in affected areas. 'Once the piping is completed, more water from the Telibong 2 Plant can be distributed. We expect that within two to three weeks, water pressure in Putatan, Kota Kinabalu, and Sepanggar will return to normal,' Shahelmey said. Earlier, he officiated the district-level Maal Hijrah celebration, which also featured Islamic arts competitions such as kompang, nasheed, and marhaban over two days. Also in attendance were his wife, Dayang Siti Noor Hayyat Awang Mohd Saufi; Petagas State Assemblyman, Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Awang Sahari; and Putatan District Officer, who is also the Chairman of the Program's Organizing Committee, Masawi Salleh. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
04-06-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Hourly update on water levels at UMS' tank
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: Shahelmey explained that discrepancies in reports arose when student leaders accused the department of making false claims. Kota Kinabalu: The State Water Department will now provide an hourly update on water levels at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah's R13 tank, said Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. He said the move aims to help UMS manage its pumping schedule more effectively and ensure better water distribution on campus. 'A new water level indicator has been ordered and should be installed within one or two weeks. I will revisit UMS once that is completed to ensure smooth coordination between both parties,' he told reporters after distributing fresh beef from 30 cows to the needy in Putatan, in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha, Tuesday. He was responding to UMS Vice-Chancellor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansur's strong criticism of the Water Department's May 29 statement, which claimed the university had always received sufficient water and that internal technical issues were to blame for any disruptions. Shahelmey said the department's records showed consistent supply since May 19. However, he explained that from May 14 to 19, one of UMS' pumps was down, possibly affecting water delivery to the campus. 'That issue has since been resolved. This coordination is especially crucial as students are sitting for their exams in June,' the State Works Minister added. Shahelmey explained that discrepancies in reports arose when student leaders accused the department of making false claims. Site inspections two weeks ago revealed that while the department recorded sufficient water levels in the R13 tank, UMS reported otherwise, due to a faulty tank indicator that led to miscommunication. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
31-05-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Enough water supply to UMS at all times: Water Department
Published on: Friday, May 30, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 30, 2025 Text Size: 'If the current pumping system is no longer capable of handling the required volume, the university is encouraged to replace it with higher-capacity or more efficient pumps,' Chee said. Kota Kinabalu: The State Water Department defended its water supply operations to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), insisting that the supply has remained sufficient at all times despite growing complaints from students over prolonged shortages. Its Director Chee Chun Chieh said Tank R13, which supplies water to the UMS campus, has never been empty or dropped below a level that would prevent water from being pumped by the university. 'UMS only requires five million liters of water per day (MLD), and the volume available in Tank R13 is more than adequate to meet this daily demand,' he said in a statement, Thursday. He advised UMS to enhance its pumping operations to ensure consistent water delivery for daily use. 'If the current pumping system is no longer capable of handling the required volume, the university is encouraged to replace it with higher-capacity or more efficient pumps,' Chee said. He noted that it has been informed of ongoing efforts by UMS to address the issue, including the construction of a new water tank and installation of new pumps. Advertisement 'Jans is fully committed to resolving this issue collaboratively and professionally with UMS. 'Our priority is ensuring reliable water access for the campus community and the public,' he said He reiterated its commitment to transparency, technical efficiency and a collaborative approach to ensure that the needs of students, university staff and the broader community are met. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
02-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
‘I didn't give such instructions'
Published on: Thursday, May 01, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 01, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Ag Mohd Tahir at the court on April 30. Kota Kinabalu: Former State Water Department Director Ag Mohd Tahir Mohd Talib on Wednesday denied giving instructions or granting approval to collect contributions amounting to about 27.5 per cent of the cost of projects carried out in each division. In his defence before Special Corruption Court Judge Abu Bakar, Ag Mohd Tahir testified, during examination-in-chief by his counsel, Datuk Ansari Abdullah, that he had never issued nor approved anything, as stated in the prosecution's witness statement referred to him. Ag Mohd Tahir was asked of his response regarding a paragraph in the witness statement of prosecution's 36th witness former Beaufort divisional water engineer Suhaimi Asbullah, who had stated in his witness statement that the informal meeting held on April 7, 2005, Teo Chee Kong (who was the Kota Kinabalu divisional water engineer) informed Division and District Water Engineers that, following a directive approved by State Water Department (JANS) Director Ag Tahir Mohd Talib and discussed with Deputy Director Lim Lam Beng, each division to collect and remit a 27.5 per cent contribution from project costs, covered by inflated contractor rates, to their respective departments. Ag Mohd also testified that he had no knowledge of the existence of the informal meeting mentioned in Suhaimi's witness statement. To a question, on his response to another statement by Suhaimi in his witness statement, Ag Mohd Tahir said that it was Teo's own statement, and that he had no knowledge of it. Ag Mohd Tahir was referred to Suhaimi's statement that out of the 27.5 per cent collected, 10.75 per cent was to be handed over by the District Engineers to Teo, who said it would be distributed to selected officers at JANS Headquarters, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (KPI) and the Ministry of Finance (MOF); Teo circulated photocopies of the 10.75 per cent formula only to the District Engineers without any official minutes, and warned that failure to comply could result in funding delays or denial of warrants for quotation and emergency works. When asked to respond to a statement in Suhaimi's witness statement alleging that there had been a 'mark-up', Ag Mohd Tahir said he was not aware of any such practice. Ag Mohd Tahir was referred to Suhaimi's witness statement, which alleged that, among other things, quotations and claims for pipe replacement and installation works involving various sizes and types in previous years had included a 30 per cent mark-up. Ag Mohd Tahir, 63, his wife, Fauziah Piut, 59, and former State Water Department deputy director Lim Lam Beng, 70, face multiple money laundering charges. Ag Mohd Tahir and his wife Fauziah Piut, as the first and second accused, are facing 33 counts of money laundering charges, involving cash and bank savings amounting to RM61.57 million, as well as unlawful possession of luxury goods. Ag Mohd Tahir faces 11 charges under Section 4 (1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUA) 2001 and one charge under Section 4(1)(a) of the same Act. Fauziah faces 19 charges under Section 4 (1)(b) of the same Act. Both Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah have another two joint charges under Section 4 (1)(b) of the same Act. The offences against Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah were allegedly committed at separate locations among others, at an office in Kota Kinabalu, a house in Sembulan, at several bank branches, between Oct 4 and Nov 4, 2016. Lim faces four counts of having a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle, cash of RM200,000, RM1,900,000 and RM280,000 from proceeds of unlawful activities as framed under Section 4 (1)(b) of the same Act. The offences allegedly committed on Oct 13, Oct 22, Nov 7 and Nov 8, 2016 here. Testifying further, when asked to comment on a page of Suhaimi's witness statement regarding, among others, that beginning 2005 their team at JANS Beaufort had begun collecting a 27.5 per cent commission from contractors carrying out quotation-based works in the Beaufort Division, Ag Mohd Tahir said the implementation of all works was carried out at the divisional level, and that he claimed to have no knowledge of the 27.5 per cent commission. In response to a question, Ag Mohd Tahir testified that he had never instructed anyone, including his family members, to approach divisional or district engineers to prepare any application letters. He said this when asked to comment on Suhaimi's witness statement, which alleged, among other things, that several agents, comprising his family members and friends, had claimed they had his permission to deal with the Water Department in Beaufort, including in Membakut and surrounding areas. When asked about Suhaimi's allegations —particularly claims of threats that divisional engineers would be transferred, and Suhaimi's fear that he might be harmed by Ag Mohd Tahir and his group — Ag Mohd Tahir responded: 'That may be his personal opinion. I have never threatened anyone.' Ag Mohd Tahir testified that no water engineers, including Suhaimi, from the division or district had ever reported to him that they were threatened by contractors during his tenure as Director of JANS. When asked who served as his deputy from the end of 2003 until 2016 during his tenure as Director of JANS, Ag Mohd Tahir testified that it began with Lim as deputy director, and upon his retirement, the position was taken over by Teo. In response to another question about whether the Director had the authority to appoint contractors at the division or district level, Ag Mohd Tahir stated that the responsibility for appointing contractors lay with the divisional and district engineers, who had been authorised to appoint JANS contractors. He added that the entire process, from tendering to contractor appointment, was under the jurisdiction of the divisional and district water engineers, who also established specific committees to offer work and appoint contractors. Together with Ansari Abdullah is counsel Erveana Ansari in representing Ag Mohd Tahir and Fauziah while counsel Datuk Tan Hock Chuan and Baldev Singh represented Lim. Deputy Public Prosecutors Mahadi Abdul Jumaat and Haresh Prakash Somiah appeared for the prosecution. The trial will continue on June 25. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
