PITAS: The action by Parti Warisan when it was in power to terminate nine concession companies managing water treatment plants (WTPs) across Sabah was the main reason the water problem in the State worsened, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said Warisan lied when it blamed the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-Pakatan Harapan (PH) Plus government for the current water problems.
He said the termination of the concession companies appointed by the previous government resulted in the State Government being sued and forced to pay compensations, and disrupted the management of the existing water supply.
“I want to explain why we are facing water problems,” he said during the opening of the Pitas Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) annual meeting at the Pitas District Council Hall, Monday.
“Warisan made our water problems worse because they harboured a grudge against the previous administration when they took over the government.
“What they did was terminating the water concessions. Nine concessions were terminated — such a malicious act.
“When the concessions were terminated, imagine, because there were agreements, the Government was sued and lost RM315 million in paying the concession companies.”
Hajiji said after the termination, the Warisan government appointed new companies of their choice which lacked experience and failed to manage the water supply in the State effectively.
“Now they (Warisan) are blaming us, while the contractors they appointed don’t know how to do the job. This is what worsened our water problems.
“The public is unaware of this, yet it was the Warisan government that failed to do their job properly due to their vengeful attitude,” he said.
In December 2018, the then Minister of Infrastructure Development under the Warisan government, Datuk Peter Anthony, announced the termination of the contracts of companies managing 58 WTPs in Sabah, effective January 2019.
These companies, appointed by the previous government in 2013, had a 20-year contract to manage WTPs in the State.
Following the termination, the State Government was sued and forced to pay compensations ranging from RM22 million to RM54 million to each contractor company, with the total compensation amounting to RM315.2 million.
Hajiji said after taking over the State Government in September 2020, he was advised to cancel the concessions of the new contractors appointed by the Warisan government, but this would have further burdened the Government.
“If we did that, the Government would be sued again, and we would have to compensate the newly-appointed concession companies more. So, I said let the contracts run their course.
“I don’t hold grudges or disturb others. I did not terminate their work because I was considerate. I said, just continue the work.
“If I were like them (Warisan), many would have been dismissed, but I did not do that because we must be compassionate and fair,” he said.
Hajiji, who is also Gagasan Rakyat President, urged the people not to be swayed by Warisan’s lies, as they are currently going around the State giving talks.
He said Warisan constantly attacked him with various falsehoods and untrue stories, but the facts show that his government has done its best according to the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development roadmap.
Hajiji, who is also GRS Chairman, said the 17th State Election could be held earlier if he decided to call it before the current State Legislative Assembly term ends.
“The next state election will be in October next year at the latest, so I will decide when to hold it.
“If I decide it is early, then it will be early. That is why we must be prepared from now,” he said.
