Sabah Water Department defends UMS supply operations amid student outcry
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Water Department has defended its water supply operations to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), insisting that the supply has remained sufficient at all times despite growing complaints from students over prolonged shortages.
In a statement on Thursday (May 29), the department said that Tank R13, which supplies water to the university, has never been empty or at a level that would prevent water from being pumped.
'The daily water requirement for UMS is five million litres, and the volume in Tank R13 exceeds that. The issue is not the supply, but internal pumping operations within the university,' the department said.
They advised UMS to improve its water pumping capacity and, if current equipment is inadequate, to replace it with higher-capacity or more efficient pumps.
The department also confirmed it had been informed of UMS' plans to construct a new tank and install new pumps to resolve the matter.
The clarification follows criticism from Suara Mahasiswa, a UMS student group, which claimed that campus life has been severely affected by ongoing water disruptions.
The issue gained further attention when a Sarawakian student studying at UMS penned an open letter to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, appealing for his intervention.
In the letter, the student expressed concern for the welfare of fellow Sarawakian students, describing the situation as 'embarrassing' and 'unacceptable.'
Abang Johari acknowledged the letter and, while noting that the matter fell outside his jurisdiction, said he would refer the issue to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir for his attention and action.
Sabah Water reiterated its commitment to transparency, technical efficiency, and professional cooperation with UMS in the interest of students, staff and the wider community.
Meanwhile, Sabah Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said the state government was working closely with both the water department and UMS to find a resolution.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the supply from the department remains inconsistent, while the tube well system on campus was unable to meet UMS's daily demand of five million litres.
'I have appealed to the Chief Minister to prioritise UMS in the water distribution schedule,' he said.
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