Latest news with #AsiawaterSabahConferenceandExpo
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Towards strong water, waste water
Published on: Thursday, August 07, 2025 Published on: Thu, Aug 07, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to strengthening the capabilities of Sabah's local workforce, particularly in the water sector, as part of its broader development agenda. Hajiji said equipping local professionals with up-to-date knowledge and skills would enable them to lead in adopting new technologies and practices. Advertisement 'This investment in human capital is crucial for the sustainable development of all sectors,' he said. His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, at the opening of the Asiawater Sabah Conference and Expo at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here, on Wednesday. He said the economic benefits of a strong water and wastewater industry were far-reaching, contributing to better public health and increased productivity. 'As we invest in our water infrastructure, we also stimulate job creation and economic growth, ensuring that all Sabahans benefit from these advancements,' Hajiji said. Advertisement He said the Asiawater Sabah Conference and Expo as a significant platform to address issues in the state's water sector and encouraged participants to engage in meaningful discourse and explore innovative solutions. 'Over the next couple of days, I trust you will explore new avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing. 'More importantly, let us enhance capabilities and develop effective strategies to improve water services for our communities,' he said. The two-day event gathers stakeholders and industry players to deliberate on key challenges and advancements in the water and wastewater sectors, with a focus on sustainable solutions for Sabah. Also present were Jetama Water Chairman Liau Fui Fui, Informa Markets Malaysia Country General Manager Gerard Williem Leeuwenburgh, Malaysian Water Association (MWA) President Hairi Basri, officials from the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra), representatives from Informa Markets and senior management of Jetama Sdn Bhd. The two-day event, which ends August 8, features over 30 conference sessions on infrastructure planning, regulatory challenges and water management strategies. The conference also reflects cooperation between the Sabah Government and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Petra. Jetama, which supplies treated water to Sabah's west coast, operates six treatment plants, the Babagon Dam, 200km of transmission mains and 30 service reservoirs. The company has expanded into desalination and renewable energy to strengthen water resilience. Its industrial desalination plant at POIC Lahad Datu produces 500,000 litres of industrial-grade water every eight hours. Jetama's 10MWac solar plant in Labuan, commissioned in 2024, generates 23 GWh annually and reduces 11,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. Two more solar projects, a floating solar PV system at Babagon Dam and a ground-mounted plant in Batu Sapi, are scheduled to begin operations in 2026. Liau said Jetama is open to broader partnerships beyond the water sector. 'We may expand beyond water into renewable energy, especially if partnerships like this continue,' she said. She emphasised that Asiawater offers a platform for targeted knowledge sharing between industry and government. 'This is not just an exhibition, it's a platform to share and apply what works,' she said. The next edition of Asiawater will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from April 7 to 9, 2026. More information is available at the website ( * 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
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
New water technologies offer hope for Sabah's supply woes
Liau and Abidin (second from right) being briefed by an exhibitor. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 6): New water technologies showcased at the Asiawater Versi Sabah Conference and Expo could play a key role in addressing Sabah's long-standing water supply issues, said Jetama Water Sdn Bhd chairman Liau Fui Fui. Liau, whose company is a strategic partner and main sponsor of the two-day event, said the expo highlights promising innovations to enhance water management systems in the state. 'One of the technologies I saw is designed to reduce air locks in pipes and improve water pressure build-up. This can significantly shorten the time needed to restore water supply after interruptions,' she said. 'This is exactly the kind of solution we need in Sabah, where water disruptions are far too common,' she added, noting that she intends to consult Jetama's technical team on the feasibility of adopting the system. Jetama, the concessionaire for treated water production and distribution in parts of Sabah, is participating in Asiawater Sabah for the first time — marking both its debut and the state's hosting of the international event. According to Liau, the Asiawater expo typically rotates among major Southeast Asian cities such as Manila, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City. 'We're proud to be part of this milestone for Sabah. This event isn't just about water — it also fosters knowledge sharing, sparks industrial interest, and even supports tourism,' she said. More than 2,000 participants from across Southeast Asia attended the conference, which featured over 40 exhibition booths. Most delegates were water industry professionals, including international experts introducing cutting-edge systems and infrastructure solutions. Liau emphasised that embracing technological innovation is critical for Sabah to overcome its persistent water woes. 'Bringing in new knowledge and solutions is one of our key goals. We hope these technologies will improve the water supply situation and eventually resolve it entirely,' she said. When asked about organising similar events in the future, Liau was optimistic. 'Yes, definitely. If we keep this momentum going, we could expand beyond water technologies into areas like green energy under Jetama,' she said. The Asiawater Sabah Conference and Expo, held in Kota Kinabalu, is expected to pave the way for greater collaboration between local authorities and international water technology experts. The event was officiated by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. In his speech delivered by Abidin, the Chief Minister said the State Government is committed to enhancing the capabilities of the state's local workforce, including in the water sector that aligns with its vision for a prosperous Sabah. 'By equipping our professionals with the latest knowledge and skills, we empower them to lead in the adoption of new technologies and practices. 'This investment in human capital is crucial for the sustainable development of all sectors of development,' he said. He said undoubtedly the economic benefits of a robust water and wastewater industry are profound as improved water services lead to better public health outcomes and increased productivity. 'As we invest in our water infrastructure, we also stimulate job creations and economic growth, ensuring that all Sabahans benefit from these advancements,' he said. The Chief Minister said the conference and expo is another significant moment in the journey to address the pertinent issue affecting Sabah. 'Over the next couple of days, I trust you will engage in meaningful discussions and explore innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges we face in Sabah,' he said. Hajiji hoped the discourse will help to open new avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing. 'What is more important is to enhance capabilities and develop effective strategies to improve water services for our communities,' he said.
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah boosts workforce development in water sector
Published on: Wednesday, August 06, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 06, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Abidin officiates the event while others look on. KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to strengthening Sabah's workforce, particularly in the water sector, to support sustainable development. In a speech delivered by Assistant Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir at the Asiawater Sabah Conference and Expo on Wednesday, Hajiji stressed that empowering local professionals with current skills and knowledge was vital for embracing new technologies. Advertisement He said the economic impact of a strong water and wastewater industry extends beyond infrastructure, contributing to public health, job creation, and wider economic growth. The Chief Minister described the conference as a timely platform to tackle water-related challenges in Sabah and explore practical, innovative solutions. He also expressed hope that the event would spark meaningful collaboration and lead to improved strategies for delivering better water services to the people. * 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
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Sabah committed to enhancing capabilities of local workforce, says Hajiji
KOTA KINABALU: With a vision for a prosperous Sabah, the state is committed to enhancing the capabilities of its local workforce, including in the water sector, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. "By equipping our professionals with the latest knowledge and skills, we empower them to lead in the adoption of new technologies and practices,' the Sabah Chief Minister said. "This investment in human capital is crucial for the sustainable development of all sectors of development," he said when opening the Asiawater Sabah Conference and Expo at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here Wednesday (Aug 6). Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir delivered Hajiji's speech. 'Undoubtedly the economic benefits of a robust water and wastewater industry are profound as improved water services lead to better public health outcomes and increased productivity,' he said. "As we invest in our water infrastructure, we also stimulate job creation and economic growth, ensuring that all Sabahans benefit from these advancements," he said. Hajiji said the conference and expo is another significant moment in the journey to address the pertinent issues affecting Sabah. "Over the next couple of days, I trust you will engage in meaningful discussions and explore innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges we face in Sabah," he said. He hopes the discourse will help to open new avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing. "What is more important is to enhance capabilities and develop effective strategies to improve water services for our communities," said Hajiji.
