CRITICAL WATER SUPPLY DISRUPTION IN PAPAR LINKED TO SLUICE VALVE INTERFERENCE - ARMIZAN

KOTA KINABALU, Jan 9 (Bernama) -- Interference with sluice valves at two booster pumps operated by the Sabah State Water Department (JANS) has caused the ongoing water supply crisis in Mukim Kinarut and Kawang, Papar, since late December.

Papar Member of Parliament Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the interference diverted water supply to areas outside Mukim Kinarut and Kawang, beyond the Papar boundary.

“Based on the findings of a special JANS task force, the interference further reduced the available water supply to areas already under rationing (until the completion of the Kogopon 2 Water Treatment Plant), resulting in significant hardship for residents,” he said in a statement today.

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Armizan, who is also the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, said based on the report, he had lodged a police complaint at the Kinarut police station yesterday.

“The purpose of lodging the report is to request the police to investigate actions that appear to involve elements of mischief and sabotage against public infrastructure, which have caused public harm.

“Although JANS has committed to conducting an internal investigation, I am of the view that it must also be investigated concurrently by the police as the actions involve elements of criminal offences,” he said.

With the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s agreement, Armizan has requested that Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong chair a special meeting yesterday with relevant departments, agencies, and contractors of the two Papar water supply projects on the matter.

“Following the meeting, we will ensure water supply will continue to be delivered by tankers with support from various parties. An immediate step is to implement a cross-connection between the Kogopon Water Treatment Plant (P1) main tank pipeline and the Kawang (P3) main tank pipeline.

“This will allow treated water to be supplied directly from the plant to the P3 main tank, which serves Mukim Kinarut and Kawang, without using the longer Melinsung main tank pipeline network (R22). Connection work will begin today,” he said.

-- BERNAMA