Fadillah briefed on the water supply problem at UMS today. – Bernama photo
KOTA KINABALU (July 14): The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), is committed to assisting Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in reducing water supply disruptions via a short-term intervention plan costing RM1 million.
This commitment was announced by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof during PETRA Squad’s inspection at UMS today.
This intervention plan will be implemented through collaboration between the Water Supply Department (JBA), PETRA and UMS.
The execution is expected to directly benefit over 3,000 students, particularly those residing in Tun Mustapha Residential College and Tun Fuad Residential College, which are frequently affected by water supply disruptions.
The intervention measures include:
1. Constructing a dedicated distribution pipeline to connect UMS’s existing groundwater source;
2. Adding an underground water tank with an increased capacity of 0.13 million litres to boost water supply;
3. Installing automated modulating valves to stabilize water levels in UMS’s service tanks.
Earlier, Fadillah urged the Sabah state government to urgently address its water and electricity issues.
“Even though water and energy are state matters, we at the federal level will find ways to assist,” he said.
Speaking at the PETRA Engagement Session with Sabah Media in 2025 here last night, Fadillah said the federal government, through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, has allocated RM8.79 billion until June 2025 to implement 86 development projects in Sabah.
He stated that the total allocation will be disbursed under the Fifth Rolling Plan (RP5) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
“Sabah has received a fairly large allocation from the federal government … it is our commitment to resolve two key issues in Sabah: water and energy.
“Because without energy and water, there can be no economic growth in Sabah,” he said.
He said the MADANI government is always striving to ensure that Sabah continues to prosper together as a big Malaysian family. Therefore, Sabah’s progress is not only the responsibility of this state, but of the entire nation.
“With strong federal-state relations, we can build a more prosperous, just as well as sustainable state and country, with the support of a free and trustworthy media and a united people,” he said.
The Petra Jaya member of parliament said Sabah holds immense potential, particularly in transforming its natural beauty into tourism attractions.
In 2023, Sabah recorded 2.613 million tourist arrivals, with the figure projected to rise to 3.147 million in 2024.
“With more strategic planning and through the media’s role in promoting Sabah, we are confident the state can attract even more tourists.
“This isn’t just about tourism. Tourists bring economic benefits — they spend, stay in hotels, and eat — generating employment and boosting the local economy.
“If marketed properly, Sabah can become a world-class destination. Tourism is central to this.”
Fadillah also said the engagement session was intended as a platform for the media to better understand the role of PETRA and agencies under its auspices.
“We organised this session to foster closer ties and strengthen the relationship between the media and PETRA’s top management,” he added.
