Latest news with #FifthRollingPlan
Borneo Post
21-07-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Overhaul pipelines to resolve Sabah's water woes - expert
Amarjit Singh KOTA KINABALU (July 21): Sabah's chronic water supply problems are unlikely to be resolved unless the state urgently replaces its ageing pipeline network, despite millions being spent on new treatment plants, says a water expert. Former Sabah Water Department director Datuk Amarjit Singh warned that the core issue lies not in production capacity, but in the state's deteriorating water distribution system. Most of Sabah's pipelines, many made of asbestos cement and decades old, can no longer handle the increased volumes produced by upgraded treatment facilities. 'The problem will remain as long as the pipes are not replaced to match the upgraded plant capacity,' he said in a statement today. 'You can treat five million litres a day, but if the pipes can't deliver it, people still won't get water.' Amarjit, a water engineer by training, was responding to Deputy Chief Minister and Works Minister Datuk Ir Shahelmey Yahya's remarks regarding continued supply disruptions in Putatan and Kota Kinabalu, even though the new Kasigui treatment plant in Penampang is already producing treated water. Shahelmey recently expressed frustration over the issue, noting that the plant, which has a capacity of five million litres per day, is only producing three to four million litres due to distribution limitations. Amarjit also referred to Shahelmey's statement in the Sabah Legislative Assembly last week that approximately 1,200 kilometres of old pipelines would be replaced in phases. Contractors have been appointed since last year to repair damaged pipes in critical areas including Sandakan, Keningau and Kota Kinabalu. The replacement works are being carried out alongside major water supply initiatives under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan. These include 18 projects on the West Coast, 15 in the interior, 12 in Tawau, five in Sandakan and two in Kudat. In preparation for the 13th Malaysia Plan, the state is also conducting district-level water supply studies to support short-, medium- and long-term master plans. These will contribute to a broader state Water Grid strategy aimed at ensuring stable and sustainable access to treated water across Sabah. Additional proposals have been submitted to the federal Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. They include resolving long-standing shortages in Tawau and Sandakan, reducing non-revenue water losses in Keningau and Beaufort, replacing ageing pipelines in urban and suburban areas, and constructing pre-sedimentation tanks at 22 treatment plants statewide. Three new rural water supply projects in Kinabatangan, Beluran and Pitas have also been approved under the Rural and Regional Development Ministry. Shahelmey acknowledged legal and regulatory hurdles, noting that under the Water Supply Enactment 2003 (Amendment 2022), the Water Department (JANS) is only authorised to supply treated water to registered consumers. However, JANS is open to supporting other agencies undertaking alternative supply solutions. Amarjit stressed that unless there is a comprehensive and timely overhaul of the entire pipeline infrastructure, Sabah's water delivery problems — both in urban centres and rural communities — will continue. 'You can't push more water through brittle, undersized and leaking pipes and expect consistent supply,' he said. In September 2023, Putrajaya approved a RM300 million soft loan to Sabah for short-term water crisis fixes. An additional RM6 million has been allocated to address water supply issues at Universiti Malaysia Sabah — RM3 million from the Prime Minister, RM2 million from the Higher Education Minister, and RM1 million recently announced by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister. Between 2001 and 2014, the federal government spent RM11.115 billion on infrastructure in Sabah, including RM4 billion on water-related projects. Recently, former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee proposed that the Sabah Water Department be dissolved and replaced with a professional statutory body to manage the state's water supply.
New Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt allocates over RM146mil for infrastructure projects in Kelantan
KOTA BARU: The Housing and Local Government Ministry has approved RM146.22 million for 24 infrastructure development and repair projects in Kelantan this year. Minister Nga Kor Ming said the allocation was approved under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan for 2025, with projects to be implemented through eight agencies under the ministry. "Among the key projects is the construction of 855 Rumah Mesra Rakyat units worth RM69.37 million in 14 parliamentary constituencies," he told reporters after visiting a home repair programme in Kampung Penambang, here today. He said the Local Government Department has been allocated RM30.58 million for 95 projects, including slope repairs and the construction of Pasar Siti Hajar in Pasir Puteh, Pasar Besar Kuala Krai, and stalls at Pantai Cahaya Bulan. Under the Community Wellbeing Division, RM13.95 million has been set aside for the repair of 389 homes and the construction of 27 new units in urban areas. Nga said RM12.7 million will be used for the development of People's Housing Projects in Pasir Mas, Ayer Lanas (Jeli), Batang Merbau (Tanah Merah) and the Residensi Rakyat Programme in Kadok (Kota Baru). The National Landscape Department will receive RM10.95 million for park upgrades in Pasir Puteh and Kota Bharu, as well as a landscape master plan study in Machang. In addition, RM2.7 million has been allocated for the maintenance of low-cost stratified housing, and RM1.5 million for the construction of an engineering workshop for the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department. Meanwhile, Nga said over RM1 million in financial aid has been approved for 10 non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI) in Kelantan as of July 7. "The ministry has been tasked with implementing the RIBI Maintenance Initiative nationwide under Budget 2025. "A total of RM50 million has been allocated for maintenance and repair works at houses of worship nationwide, to ensure greater comfort for devotees," he said during the RIBI allocation handover ceremony at St. Martin's Church here. He said the increased allocation reflects the Madani government's commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that no one is left behind, including communities in Kelantan. – Bernama
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
KPKT approves RM146m for Kelantan infrastructure projects in 2025
KOTA BHARU: The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) has allocated RM146.22 million for 24 infrastructure and repair projects across Kelantan this year. Minister Nga Kor Ming announced the funding under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan (2025), to be executed by eight agencies under the ministry. Key projects include the construction of 855 Rumah Mesra Rakyat units worth RM69.37 million in 14 parliamentary constituencies. Nga said, 'The Local Government Department has been allocated RM30.58 million for 95 projects, including slope repairs and the construction of Pasar Siti Hajar in Pasir Puteh, Pasar Besar Kuala Krai, and stalls at Pantai Cahaya Bulan.' The Community Wellbeing Division will receive RM13.95 million for repairing 389 homes and building 27 new units in urban areas. Another RM12.7 million is earmarked for People's Housing Projects in Pasir Mas, Ayer Lanas (Jeli), Batang Merbau (Tanah Merah), and the Residensi Rakyat Programme in Kadok (Kota Bharu). The National Landscape Department secured RM10.95 million for park upgrades in Pasir Puteh and Kota Bharu, along with a landscape master plan study in Machang. Additional allocations include RM2.7 million for low-cost stratified housing maintenance and RM1.5 million for an engineering workshop at the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department. Nga also highlighted RM1 million in financial aid for 10 non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI) in Kelantan as of July 7. 'KPKT is implementing the RIBI Maintenance Initiative nationwide under Budget 2025, with RM50 million allocated for maintenance and repairs at worship places,' he said during a ceremony at St. Martin's Church. The minister emphasised the MADANI Government's commitment to inclusivity, ensuring no community is left behind. - Bernama
Barnama
18-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
KPKT Allocates Over RM146 Mln For Infrastructure Projects in Kelantan
KOTA BHARU, July 18 (Bernama) -- The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) has approved RM146.22 million for 24 infrastructure development and repair projects in Kelantan this year. Minister Nga Kor Ming said the allocation was approved under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan for 2025, with projects to be implemented through eight agencies under the ministry. 'Among the key projects is the construction of 855 Rumah Mesra Rakyat units worth RM69.37 million in 14 parliamentary constituencies,' he told reporters after visiting a home repair programme in Kampung Penambang, here today. He said the Local Government Department has been allocated RM30.58 million for 95 projects, including slope repairs and the construction of Pasar Siti Hajar in Pasir Puteh, Pasar Besar Kuala Krai, and stalls at Pantai Cahaya Bulan. Under the Community Wellbeing Division, RM13.95 million has been set aside for the repair of 389 homes and the construction of 27 new units in urban areas. Nga said RM12.7 million will be used for the development of People's Housing Projects in Pasir Mas, Ayer Lanas (Jeli), Batang Merbau (Tanah Merah) and the Residensi Rakyat Programme in Kadok (Kota Bharu). The National Landscape Department will receive RM10.95 million for park upgrades in Pasir Puteh and Kota Bharu, as well as a landscape master plan study in Machang. In addition, RM2.7 million has been allocated for the maintenance of low-cost stratified housing, and RM1.5 million for the construction of an engineering workshop for the Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department. Meanwhile, Nga said over RM1 million in financial aid has been approved for 10 non-Islamic houses of worship (RIBI) in Kelantan as of July 7.
Daily Express
15-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
RM8.79 billion for 86 projects in Sabah
Published on: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 15, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Fadillah said that the Federal Government, through Petra, had allocated RM8.799 billion for Sabah up to June 2025. - Bernama pic Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra), Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, reaffirmed the Federal Government's strong commitment to supporting Sabah's development and strengthening media freedom. Fadillah said that the Federal Government, through Petra, had allocated RM8.799 billion for Sabah up to June 2025. Advertisement 'Sabah has received a fairly large allocation from the Federal Government…it is our commitment to resolve two key issues in Sabah – water and energy. 'Because without energy and tare, there can be no economic growth in Sabah,' he said when speaking at the Petra Engagement Session with Sabah Media 2025, here, on Sunday night. The funds cover 86 development projects under the Fifth Rolling Plan (RP5) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMKe-12) to uplift infrastructure and energy-related progress in the state. He said that the Federal Government views Sabah's development not just as the responsibility of the state alone, but as a shared national trust. 'Sabah's progress is the nation's responsibility. With strong Federal-State cooperation, we can build a more prosperous, just and sustainable Malaysia,' he said. Fadillah also recognised the media's important role as a strategic partner in national development. He thanked print, electronic, online and new media platforms for their continued cooperation, especially in helping to promote tourism and investment in Sabah. The state recorded over 3.1 million tourist arrivals in 2024, a sharp rise from 2.6 million in 2023, which he attributed in part to the efforts of media in shaping positive narratives about Sabah. He highlighted the importance of accurate and ethical journalism, particularly in shaping investor confidence and promoting national stability. He also noted Malaysia's climb in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, where the country rose to 88th place in 2025 from 107th the year before. 'This recognition reflects the government's ongoing commitment to nurturing a free, responsible, and progressive media ecosystem,' he said. Fadillah introduced Petra's top leadership team during the session and stressed that such engagements are crucial in strengthening ties between the media and government agencies. He closed by expressing appreciation to all media professionals in Sabah for their resilience and dedication despite the challenges they face. 'With united people and a media that is free and committed to integrity, we can continue to move Sabah forward,' he added. * 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
