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Kuala Lumpur: Sandakan MP Vivian Wong said a special committee should be formed to investigate the causes of delays in the Rural Water Supply (BALB) project.

She said the committee should include government representatives, contractors and other stakeholders to closely monitor and control every aspect of the project.

During the debate on the Auditor-General’s Report in the Dewan Rakyat on July 9, Vivian expressed her disappointment regarding the delays in the BALB Project in Borneo, particularly in Sabah, which have inconvenienced residents.

“The Rural Water Supply Project (BALB) is a significant initiative aimed at providing access to clean and safe water for residents in rural areas.

“However, the prolonged delays have raised various questions and concerns among the people.

“First, I want to understand the main reasons behind this postponement. Is this issue due to bureaucratic problems, lack of financial allocation, or technical issues faced by contractors?

“A clear and transparent explanation from those responsible is crucial to ensure there is no dishonesty in the implementation of this project.

“A postponement of seven years is absolutely unacceptable,” Vivian said.

Vivian said the BALB Project aims not only to provide clean and treated water facilities to enhance the health and quality of life of rural communities, but also to ensure equal access to basic amenities for all citizens.

In addition to these issues, Vivian highlighted that Sabah also faces challenges with non-revenue water (NRW).

The average NRW for Sabah was TM (no data available) from 2016 to 2019, 59.4pc in 2020, 52.4pc in 2021, and 55pc in 2022.

One of the reasons for not achieving the NRW targets set for the period from 2016 to 2022 is the use of distribution pipeline networks with limited lifespans, low durability and prone to frequent breaks.