
Replace Water Department with new professional water body - Yong
KOTA KINABALU (July 19): Former Chief Minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee has called for the total replacement of the entire Sabah Water Department with a new Sabah water statutory body.
He said it has become necessary because it has become increasingly evident that the basic cause of the water supply problems in Sabah is the Sabah Water Department itself.
'Sabah has ample water resources, from our rivers, from rain and even the sea. Over the decades, billions have been spent on water supply. We even have a Sabah Water Supply Enactment 2003 that confers extensive powers to this important government department. Yet, we have been unable to solve this most basic utility called water that is needed for daily livelihood,' he said in a statement on Saturday.
Yong said at a pre-council session of Sabah assemblypersons in April 2023 the Chief Minister (who chaired the meeting) was visibly upset about the perennial water supply problems. The current Minister of Public Works had just been appointed to the portfolio.
'At that pre-council meeting, I said that the minister should not rely on the Sabah Water Department for solutions because the problem is the Sabah Water Department. The minister and the Chief Minister must look and search beyond the Water Department for solutions because there are viable and cost-effective solutions.
'The Chief Minister sounded stressed by the stubborn persistence of water supply problems. I don't know whether my voice was heard or whether my views were heeded. I have done my research. As a successful plaintiff in the Water Department case of 2019, I have done extensive research on the notorious Water Department and its decades of failures. It is really getting ridiculous when the minister himself had to instruct (as reported) the Water Department to investigate why, even after the new Kasigui water treatment plant with an additional five million litres per day, there is still a shortfall in water supply in Putatan and Kota Kinabalu. 'The Water Department then found that the problem was the distribution network. First of all, the Water Department need not have waited for ministerial instructions before taking action. Secondly, the distribution and pipes problems have been known for many years. The Water Department was not formed yesterday. The Sabah Water Supply Enactment 2023 was enacted 22 years, that is one generation of Sabahans ago!' he said.
Moving forward, Yong said the replacement of the Water Department will involve an amendment to the Water Supply Enactment 2003 by the dissolution of the Water Department and reconstitute a professional body.
'There are many good, conscientious professional water engineers and administrators in Sabah who can do a much better job than the Water Department. The new water supply statutory body can be led by tough professionals and with proven administrators who come with a mission and passion to finally solve Sabah's water supply problems. The ball is now in the court of the Sabah Government,' he added.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Focus Malaysia
16 hours ago
- Focus Malaysia
Consumer credit law risks squeezing poorer households further, says think tank
THE Institute for Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (INSAP) has applauded recent the passing of the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 (CCB) by the Dewan Rakyat. However, its chairman Datuk Dr Pamela Yong cautioned that while the CCB is a milestone in efforts to regulate Malaysia's expanding consumer credit market, legislation alone will not resolve the structural issues pushing Malaysians, particularly the youth and informal workers, into cycles of debt. 'The Bill's introduction of a dedicated Consumer Credit Commission (CCC) to oversee previously unregulated credit providers and enhance consumer protection is a positive step,' she remarked. '(But) without wider economic reforms, this law may unintentionally tighten credit access for low- and middle-income groups already struggling with stagnant wages, high living costs and shrinking financial buffer.' As of December 2024, Malaysia's household debt stood at RM1.63 tril, representing 84.2% of GDP, which is the highest in Southeast Asia according to Bank Negara Malaysia. This reflects the growing reliance on short-term credit to cope with volatile income and essential spending, especially as the economy transitions from stable industrial jobs to more precarious service roles. At the same time, new fiscal measures such as petrol subsidy rationalisation and sales and services tax (SST) expansion have increased pressure on household budgets. The think tank went on to warn that layering new compliance costs on credit providers may inadvertently make credit more expensive or inaccessible, especially for the very groups the law intends to protect young adults, gig workers and financially excluded households. It also highlighted the importance of institutional clarity, regulatory independence and accountability for the CCC. Clear frameworks must govern leadership appointments, scope of powers and stakeholder engagement to ensure transparency and public trust. Crucially, INSAP stressed that any reform of the credit ecosystem must be matched by real structural policies that raise income security and job quality, control the cost of essential goods and services, and expand access to financial literacy and consumer rights education. 'The CCB must not become a regulatory plaster over a deeper economic wound. Without bold reforms to tackle inequality and economic insecurity, Malaysians will continue to borrow just to survive, no matter how well-regulated the system becomes,' Dr Yong added. ‒ July 25, 2025 Main image: Pexels/Anna Shvets


Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Liberal Democratic Party urges Shahelmey to fix multiple woes
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Chin (left) accompanied by several supreme council members, recently paid a courtesy visit to Shahelmey (right) to raise concerns over persistent disruptions that continue to burden rural and suburban communities. Kota Kinabalu: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) called on the Sabah Ministry of Works to urgently address long-standing infrastructure problems affecting the State, particularly water supply, electricity and road conditions. LDP President Datuk Chin Su Phin, accompanied by several supreme council members, recently paid a courtesy visit to State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is also Deputy Chief Minister iii, to raise concerns over persistent disruptions that continue to burden rural and suburban communities. 'Access to clean water, stable electricity and safe roads are fundamental needs of the people. These issues should not be hindering Sabah's development or burdening its citizens,' Chin said during the meeting. During the dialogue, the party proposed several key suggestions, including: Water Supply: Accelerate the construction and repair of dams and distribution systems, while improving water management to reduce leakage and prevent illegal tapping. Electricity: Upgrade infrastructure to ensure greater grid stability, especially in industrial and densely populated areas, in order to prevent frequent blackouts that impact both livelihoods and investor confidence. Road Infrastructure: Implement a scheduled maintenance system and prioritise upgrading roads that connect rural communities to ensure safer and more efficient transportation and logistics. Shahelmy welcomed the constructive input from LDP and expressed appreciation for the party's commitment to addressing the people's concerns. He assured that the Ministry will review the recommendations and continue engaging stakeholders for better solutions. Chin reaffirmed LDP's role as a bridge between the Government and the people, emphasising the party's commitment to championing issues that affect the daily lives of Sabahans. 'LDP will continue to fight for much bigger funding from the Federal Government to solve Sabahans' water and road woes. 'At the same time, we will continue go to the ground, listen to the people and push for practical and fair infrastructure development that truly benefits all Sabahans,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Sabah leaders not amused as businesses fume
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Dr Jeffrey (left) and Dr Joachim (right) both disagreed with the move. Kota Kinabalu: Businesses are not the only ones unhappy over the sudden declaration of an additional public holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day on September 16 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Even Sabah politicians who have been in the forefront of regaining Sabah's rights in the Malaysia Agreement they claim have been ignored over the decades by Federal are not amused. They said the Sept. 15 holiday is not necessary. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan from Star and Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam of PBS both disagreed with the move. 'Personally, I feel Malaysia, especially Sabah, has too many holidays already,' Dr Gunsalam, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah President, said. Dr Jeffrey said Malaysia Day is already a national holiday and there is no need to declare another day on Sept. 15. 'For Sabah and Sarawak at this juncture, we want the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and its rights under the Constitution to be fully implemented. 'That should be the priority,' he said. Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee also said the extra day is unnecessary. Cuepacs Executive Laurence Vun said any holiday would be welcomed by workers but felt a holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day might not help the spirit of Malaysia. 'I don't think an additional holiday would bring any significance to the meaning of Malaysia Day. 'For Sabahans and Sarawakians, we feel Malaysia Day should be marked to make all Malaysians equal in every sense of the word – in our civil service as well as all sectors of government and private enterprise,' said Vun. Employers must comply with the declaration of additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong had said. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and pay according to the public holiday rates. 'Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Department of Labour (JTK) is prepared to provide advisory services as well as answer any queries from employers and employees regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said. The implementation of the additional holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan; the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) as the basis for the announcement of the official additional holiday by the government. Employers or employees requiring further information can contact the JTKSM via its hotline at 03-8886 5192 / 5937, by email at [email protected], or at any nearby JTK offices. An employers' group and a business association expressed concern over the impact the additional public holiday may have on business operations. The Malaysian Employers Federation said the extra public holiday warrants careful reconsideration because of its financial and operational impact as such holidays disrupt production schedules, logistics chains, and service continuity. 'This disruption results in lower output, delays in fulfilling delivery commitments, increased costs from rescheduling or deferring operations, and reduced overall productivity, especially for SMEs already operating on tight margins,' MEF said. It also said additional public holidays translate to increased wage bills, with preliminary estimates suggesting that each extra holiday could cost Malaysian employers over RM1 billion collectively. MEF said the practice of declaring ad hoc public holidays, often without broad stakeholder consultation, may affect Malaysia's image as a predictable and business-friendly destination. Noting that investors seek clarity and certainty in policymaking, it warned that repeated instances of surprise public holidays risk undermining investor confidence, particularly among foreign investors. 'While MEF appreciates national celebrations and commemorations, such observances must be balanced with economic realities and the long-term competitiveness of Malaysian businesses,' it said. Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) president William Ng said that while he appreciates the symbolic importance of celebrating Malaysia Day, additional public holidays, especially those announced on short notice, can be disruptive for SMEs. He said the added holiday would increase costs for SMEs in terms of lost productivity, overtime pay, and delivery delays. 'We urge the government to conduct impact assessments before declaring unscheduled holidays,' he said. Ng also welcomed the encouraging economic indicators shared by Anwar in his address, particularly stronger GDP growth, improved global competitiveness rankings, and a more stable ringgit. 'However, we urge the government to ensure that the benefits of this growth are meaningfully felt by the SME sector, which continues to face persistent challenges in accessing financing, addressing labour shortages, and adapting to rising operational costs,' he said. The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has called on the government to urgently gazette the September 15 public holiday to provide legal clarity to employers. The additional holiday has triggered concerns within the manufacturing sector over compliance and planning, the group said. FMM said many businesses remain unclear whether the holiday falls under Section 8 or Section 9 of the Holidays Act 1951, which would affect their obligations under the Employment Act 1955. 'This is critical to provide legal clarity and enable businesses to plan operations, workforce scheduling, and ensure compliance with the Employment Act 1955,' said FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai. The group warned that manufacturers operating on shift-based or continuous cycles face higher risks from such unplanned disruptions. The four-day stretch from Saturday to Tuesday may force production lines to halt and restart, which FMM said would be inefficient and costly. It added that the cascading effects on supply chains, logistics and delivery timelines would be especially difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to manage. FMM advised employers to prepare buffer stock, adjust schedules, and communicate with workers, customers and suppliers to minimise operational risks. The group also reminded businesses to monitor the gazette and consider using the substitution option under Section 8, if applicable. It then reiterated its view that 'policy announcements must reflect clarity, consistency, certainty, and credibility,' adding that ad hoc decisions could undermine Malaysia's attractiveness to investors. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia