Warisan demands transparency on 1,200km aging pipes
Published on: Fri, Jul 11, 2025
By: Rahim Matnin Text Size: Firdaus stressed that the people of Sabah have been patient for far too long and said the government must now step forward to answer the key questions – how did the situation get to this point, and where did the people's money go? PUTATAN: Warisan Youth Deputy Chief and Deputy Head of the Warisan Putatan Division, Mohammad Firdaus Diun has voiced concern over a recent statement by the Sabah Works Minister regarding the existence of nearly 1,200 kilometres of aging water pipes throughout the state. He said the figure clearly shows that Sabah's water supply issue is not a new problem, but one that has persisted for decades. Firdaus questioned how such a large stretch of deteriorated pipes could be left without a planned replacement strategy, and whether the situation was a result of the major corruption scandal that previously hit the Sabah Water Department. He also raised doubts about the actual amount of funding that has been allocated and spent by both the state and federal governments following the scandal, and the extent of implementation of pipe replacement projects to date. Firdaus said that water issues can no longer be viewed solely as technical matters, but rather as concerns that involve accountability and transparency in governance. He said the people of Sabah are still suffering the effects of past scandals, including low water pressure, frequent disruptions, and scheduled rationing that continue to affect their daily lives. In response, Warisan has called on the government to take three immediate actions: to present a phased water pipe replacement plan with a clear schedule and regular progress updates; to publicly disclose a complete report on project status, including total funding, expenditures, and the identities of involved contractors; and to establish an independent audit committee to monitor project implementation and ensure transparency in the use of public funds. Firdaus stressed that the people of Sabah have been patient for far too long and said the government must now step forward to answer the key questions – how did the situation get to this point, and where did the people's money go? * 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.
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