Jeffery
KOTA KINABALU (Nov 27): Sabah Umno election director Jeffery Nor Mohamed has appealed to the Sabah State Water Department (JANS) to retract the warning notice regarding actions against individuals using water pumps directly after the registered meter.
He believes that the directive is unreasonable at this time, given the current poor condition of treated water resources.
Consequently, Jeffery has urged JANS to first rectify the water treatment plants (WTP) and the associated pipeline systems to ensure that treated water can be effectively distributed.
“For residents in rural areas, water pumps are an essential necessity, and when water pressure is inconsistent, the use of pumps becomes crucial to ensure a reliable water supply,” he said in a statement today.
Jeffery, who is also the Putatan Umno chief, noted that not all residents can afford to install tanks, especially when the cost of pumps strains family finances.
In light of this, he emphasised the need for JANS to prioritise the improvement of the WTP systems, pipelines and main pumps.
“Only after the water distribution system is improved should such actions be considered. Given the current state of our water resources, it is unreasonable for JANS to implement such measures,” he added.
Jeffery also urged the government to expedite the establishment of the Sabah Water Services Commission (SWSC) as the formation of the Sabah Water Resources Council has shown little significant progress and appears to serve primarily political purposes.
He stressed that the commission’s primary role would include overseeing water services in Sabah, which would ultimately enhance the image of water services in the state.
“Amendments to the Sabah Water Enactment must be made promptly in the State Assembly to facilitate the establishment of the commission,” he said.
To address water issues, Jeffery noted that the JANS requires billions of ringgit to replace and upgrade the water supply system, including outdated pipelines and problematic water treatment plants.
JANS is the only water utility in Malaysia that remains a state department, managing its own water supply without direct assistance from any external parties, he added.
He pointed out that financial management for improving treated water sources must reach a sustainable level; otherwise, the current situation, which is unacceptable to the people of Sabah, will remain stagnant.
“We hope that the forthcoming water commission will provide a platform to explore how direct assistance can be obtained from the federal government or through other phased approaches, addressing issues based on priority needs.
“Given the high costs associated with enhancing the water supply system in Sabah, we must think outside the box,” he said.
