PUTRAJAYA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor is confident the Federal Government’s RM320.25 million aid to Sabah will expedite short-term plans to solve the state’s water woes.
It involves the implementation of six programmes encompassing 20 projects throughout the state including nine projects under district plans for Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Putatan, Papar, Beaufort, Keningau, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.
Hajiji said the projects are expected to take six to 12 months to complete and welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s quick decision to the State Government’s request.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister III cum Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya and State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong, briefed Anwar on Sabah’s plans to address the water supply problem at his office, here, Thursday.
Others in Hajiji’s entourage were Finance Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Sofian Alfian Nair, Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim and Water Department Director Suhaimi Asbullah.
The meeting was also attended by Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali and heads of relevant federal departments and agencies.
Hajiji also shared the State Government’s long-term high-impact water supply plans, including two dam projects in Papar and at Upper Padas, Sipitang to ensure sustained water supply for the long term.
On this, the Prime Minister called for the immediate setting up of a task force comprising state and federal ministries to seek a holistic approach and the best way forward.
At Wednesday’s State Kaamatan Festival closing ceremony which he attended, the Prime Minister disclosed that he would chair a Federal-State top-level meeting Monday on Sabah’s water supply problem.
Kelantan’s Menteri Besar Dato Haji Ahmad Yaakob and his official entourage were also present at the meeting to brief the Prime Minister on Kelantan’s water supply problem.
