Sabah’s woes: too much water, and not enough water
KOTA KINABALU: It’s approaching year-end and Ashley Daniel Koh has plenty of things planned with his family, with Christmas and New Year festivities in mind.
But the end of the year also brings uncertainties, especially with the monsoon season expected to bring stormy skies and heavy rainfall.
“The problem with heavy rain here is that it leads to flooding in our area, which then leads to disruptions in our water supply,” he told FMT.
“That will surely throw a spanner in the works (for our plans).”
Koh lives with his wife and daughter in Ramayah, Penampang, near here which is among the Sabah districts severely affected by annual floods. Penampang has been hit at least five times this year.
The most devastating flood took place in September. While Koh’s house was spared a battering, homes in other areas were not as lucky.
To make matters worse, recovery efforts are hampered by water cuts which occur every time flooding occurs in Penampang and other flood-prone districts. Rationing can stretch from several days to weeks. The water disruption even affects numerous housing, commercial and industrial areas in the state capital.
Deputy chief minister Bung Moktar Radin previously explained that water supply had to be cut off temporarily in certain areas as flood waters, mud and debris had entered water treatment plants.
Bung, who is also the state works minister, said then that the disruption was necessary for clean-up work, but that it would take up to a month to repair the equipment as replacement parts would need to be brought in from outside.
Ageing water supply network
He is now heading a special committee to look into the exact cause of the frequent flash floods in the state, particularly after heavy rain.
But flooding is not the only cause behind the constant disruptions in the state.
The water supply network is plagued by old pipes and aged equipment, among others, causing leakages and necessitating frequent repairs.
Economist James Alin pointed out that besides being a source of annoyance for the people, water disruptions cost Sabah precious potential business as they discourage investors from coming to the state.
“The state’s economy is supposed to be in recovery mode, but with these water shortages, recovery isn’t smooth,” he told FMT.
He added that the constant water cuts imposed by the Sabah water department in residential and industrial areas had indirectly hampered attempts by chief minister Hajiji Noor’s government to stimulate the economy.
RM300 million lost from leaks, damage and theft
“The present government must step up its efforts to resolve the long-standing issues related to non-revenue water (NRW).
“The NRW at the time when Hajiji became chief minister was estimated to be some RM300 million, or equivalent to 52% loss in treated water from leakages, damage and rampant water thefts that occur along the distribution channels.
“Of course, whenever there is flooding, the water reservoirs will be affected due to debris, but natural disasters should only be temporary setbacks and cannot be used as an excuse for water cuts.”
Political economist Firdausi Suffian agreed with Alin, and said unreliable electricity supply was also why investors look beyond Sabah.
“How can we attract investors with unstable water and power supply, even in the outskirts, where most of our industrial sites are located?” he told FMT.
For the state government to achieve the Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, he said, basic infrastructure like utility and road projects should take priority over mega projects.
“It is basic and central to support mega projects and local businesses – suboptimal infrastructure leads to suboptimal outcomes to our economy.
“We need to set our priorities right. It is not because of a limited budget but rather it is how you manage that matters most.”
Sabah Employers Association president Yap Cheen Boon said the sudden yet regular water disruptions continue to impact businesses and should be mitigated more effectively.
“The major gripe is the massive flooding that occurs after a major downpour.
“The unpredictability of it causes not just mental anguish, such as the inability to travel due to flooded roads, but there are also economic repercussions. Factories or offices are forced to shut down due to inaccessibility or staff shortages.
Urgent need for a solution
“Now is the time to recover from the pandemic-induced slump. The urgency to resolve this issue is dire,” he said.
After the big flood in Penampang and other districts in September, Bung told the state assembly that it was time for Sabah to revamp its water services and address the state’s water problems.
He admitted that the water services, which came under the Sabah water department’s purview, and its obsolete equipment, were cause for concern.
He added that he had discussed proposals to solve Sabah’s water problems with the state finance minister. Back in January this year, Bung had also proposed the privatisation of water services as a long-term solution to the issue. - FMT
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