SANDAKAN: Sandakan MP Vivian Wong and Tanjung Papat Assemblyman Frankie Poon submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim requesting the Federal Government’s help to solve the problem of salt water in the taps of half a million residents in Sandakan the past six months.
The State Water Department had not been able to solve the problem since last November when it was first reported.
“I hope the Federal Government will intervene and take action soon as possible,” said Vivian.
Sandakan’s water supply has been unstable in recent years.
“While water treatment plants are also often closed or not working properly, water supply interruptions occur almost every week.
“This matter has no doubt had a serious impact on the daily lives of Sandakan residents,” she said.
Many residents have reported suffering from symptoms of high blood pressure, kidney problems and skin allergies, and residents worry that their health is threatened.
An emergency fund and setting up a technical team to investigate and provide professional advice to resolve the problem is necessary.
Among proposals are replacing rusty water pipes caused by salt-water corrosion and to implement a comprehensive solution programme to ensure that the same crisis does not happen again.
Vivian also explained to Anwar the urgent need for UTC Centre to save the people’s time when dealing with government agencies.
