Can't just listen to NGOs only: CM
Published on: Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Kota Kinabalu: Ensuring ample supply of water to the millions residing in the State capital and its nearby districts is among the State Government's priority. "We did some studies and found that without another dam nearer to Kota Kinabalu, it would somehow affect the supply in less than five years," said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (pic)."There is a necessity for us to get sufficient supply of water. I am quite concerned about the millions of people residing in Kota Kinabalu, including districts like Papar.
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"We cannot just listen to all the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) criticising us because at the end of the day when there is no water, there will be many more NGOs coming up with empty buckets…with no water inside," he said. He was commenting on a question in a media conference after receiving a courtesy visit from federal Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jeyakumar at the State Administrative Building, here, Tuesday. Shafie said the State Government is mindful of the environmental problem but doesn't think it will bring any effect because it is a different area although it comes from the same source. "We should take an amicable solution to this. I am quite sure that it is within our interest to provide ample water," he said.
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He also said they will try to engage with the NGOs, pointing out that the Government has no problem in listening to opinions from all sides. "At the end of the day, what is important is that it will be costly for us if you say we get the supply from Tambunan, a remote area, and even from Kota Belud, a paddy-growing area.
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"The only area that we can think of which is nearest to Kota Kinabalu is Papar, not Penampang, as it is in a different district actually."I am quite sure that if this can be realised within a short period of time, it can benefit the people and the State," he said, adding that not only the people need the water but the investors and factories. He again assured that the State Government will engage with NGOs.A dam costing RM2 billion was announced by State Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Peter Anthony in August this year, which will be built at Kg Bisuang in Papar.The announcement drew heavy criticisms from several quarters, including opposition political parties which described it as a U-turn to the pledge by Parti Warisan Sabah to stop the same dam project proposed by the previous State Government albeit with a different name. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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