UMS water supply stabilised after resolution of misunderstanding with Sabah Water Department
KOTA KINABALU: The water supply disruption plaguing Universiti Malaysia Sabah was caused by a misunderstanding between the university and the Sabah Water Department regarding the existing indicator at the R13 water tank.
Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is also the State Works Minister, said the issue was being addressed, and the current indicator would be replaced with a digital version within a week.
"A series of discussions between the water department and the university, coordinated by the Sabah Works Ministry, as well as site visits to the university, have been conducted to resolve the water issue. We concluded that the water supply was not efficiently channelled due to a misunderstanding.
"However, this has been effectively resolved, and based on continuous monitoring since mid-May, the water supply at the university has remained stable to date," he said in a press conference here on Thursday (June 5).
Shahelmey said that to address external constraints such as water theft, incomplete pipeline installations and other factors, the water department and the university have been urged to work more closely to resolve or minimise water supply issues.
"Through these discussions, the water department and the university have agreed to cooperate, both in technical and communication aspects. The water department is also committed to ensuring that the volume of water entering the R13 tank remains sufficient and consistent, and will work with the university on pump operations.
"Additionally, the university must ensure that internal water distribution within the campus is well managed. JANS is also prepared to offer guidance and support in handling the university's internal water distribution if needed," he said.
Meanwhile, on the Telibong II pipeline project, Shahelmey said the Sabah government through the water department, is currently undertaking pipe installation works under phase II of the project.
The project is expected to be completed by early July and will serve the Sepanggar and Northern Kota Kinabalu areas.
"It is hoped that once the pipe installation is complete, water distribution to Sepanggar and Northern Kota Kinabalu will improve and water supply issues will be minimised," he said.
At the same time, Shahelmey said the Urgent Water Supply Scheme (UWSS) project at the Kasigui Penampang water treatment plant, which was initially scheduled for completion in April, has been delayed due to several issues, including unpredictable weather since early this year.
"It should have been operational by now, but there have been constraints. However, I have been informed that it is expected to be fully completed by early July.
"Once completed, the project would benefit users in Penampang, Putatan, Kota Kinabalu and surrounding areas," he added. – Bernama
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Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Shahelmey inspects repair works on a leaking pipe. SABAH's effort to overcome its longstanding water supply problem is progressing in phases under a strategy that targets meeting statewide demand until at least 2050, according to Deputy Chief Minister cum State Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya. He said the Sabah Water Department (JANS) has laid out short-, medium- and long-term action plans to resolve the issue progressively, adding that the entire effort requires substantial funding. 'The solution to Sabah's water supply issue is an ongoing process that requires significant financial resources,' he said, stressing the phased approach is necessary to ensure sustainability and resilience in infrastructure. 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Five major water projects are currently underway involving four WTPs and one dam, aimed at boosting supply in key districts across Sabah. Shahelmey said the Telibong II Phase 2 WTP in Tuaran, which will double its capacity from 80 million litres per day (MLD) to 160 MLD, is now 88 per cent complete and scheduled for completion by July this year. The Kogopon 2 WTP expansion project in Papar is 37 per cent complete and is targeted for completion by July 2026, including supporting pipelines and storage infrastructure. Meanwhile, Phase 1 of the Lahad Datu Water Supply System upgrade, with a capacity of 60 MLD, is also 88 per cent complete and expected to be ready by July 2026. He said the 5 MLD Mamut WTP in Ranau, which will support the district's growing population, is nearly complete at 95 per cent and should be operational by December this year. 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ACEM Sabah chairman Ir. Benny Song presenting a momento to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Ir. Shahelmy, witnessed by the Executive Committee members and Biennial Dinner organizing chairperson, Ir. Mohd Arzahari Abd Rahman (third from right). KOTA KINABALU (June 7): Sabah Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya will raise the declining passing rate of young professional engineers seeking the Practicing Certificate (PEPC) in the next parliamentary session. The Putatan member of parliament acknowledged the issue raised by the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM), Sabah Branch. During a courtesy call led by ACEM Sabah chairman Ir. Benny Song at the Ministry of Works on Thursday, the delegation emphasized to Shahelmey the long-term implications of this trend, which could potentially impact the sustainability of consulting firms in the state. Accompanying the chairman were Datuk Ir. Chin Shu Ying (immediate past chairman), Datuk Ir. Ts. Gs. Br. PMr. Dr. Amarjit Singh (secretary), Ir. Kenny Lo (treasurer), Ir. Tan Koh Yon (past chairman), and Ir. Mohd Arzahari Abd Rahman (committee member and organizing chairperson of the ACEM Sabah Biennial Dinner). The purpose of the visit was to present an overview of ACEM Sabah's programs for the year and to formally invite Shahelmey to be the guest of honour of the upcoming ACEM Sabah Biennial Dinner. This signature event will be held on August 9 at the Hilton Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, with the theme 'Together We Build' — a theme closely aligned with the Sabah state government's Sabah Maju Jaya initiative. The dinner aims to unite engineering consultants, government officials and key industry stakeholders in celebrating the branch's continued legacy of excellence and service to the engineering community. In his remarks, Shahelmey who is also Deputy Chief Minister III, congratulated the newly elected ACEM Sabah executive committee and expressed appreciation for the courtesy visit. He accepted the dinner invitation with gratitude and commended the association for its dedication to professional engineering standards and development in Sabah. The visit concluded with a commemorative group photograph and the presentation of a token of appreciation to the Deputy Chief Minister.
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UMS water supply stabilised after resolution of misunderstanding with Sabah Water Department
KOTA KINABALU: The water supply disruption plaguing Universiti Malaysia Sabah was caused by a misunderstanding between the university and the Sabah Water Department regarding the existing indicator at the R13 water tank. Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, who is also the State Works Minister, said the issue was being addressed, and the current indicator would be replaced with a digital version within a week. "A series of discussions between the water department and the university, coordinated by the Sabah Works Ministry, as well as site visits to the university, have been conducted to resolve the water issue. We concluded that the water supply was not efficiently channelled due to a misunderstanding. "However, this has been effectively resolved, and based on continuous monitoring since mid-May, the water supply at the university has remained stable to date," he said in a press conference here on Thursday (June 5). Shahelmey said that to address external constraints such as water theft, incomplete pipeline installations and other factors, the water department and the university have been urged to work more closely to resolve or minimise water supply issues. "Through these discussions, the water department and the university have agreed to cooperate, both in technical and communication aspects. The water department is also committed to ensuring that the volume of water entering the R13 tank remains sufficient and consistent, and will work with the university on pump operations. "Additionally, the university must ensure that internal water distribution within the campus is well managed. JANS is also prepared to offer guidance and support in handling the university's internal water distribution if needed," he said. Meanwhile, on the Telibong II pipeline project, Shahelmey said the Sabah government through the water department, is currently undertaking pipe installation works under phase II of the project. The project is expected to be completed by early July and will serve the Sepanggar and Northern Kota Kinabalu areas. "It is hoped that once the pipe installation is complete, water distribution to Sepanggar and Northern Kota Kinabalu will improve and water supply issues will be minimised," he said. At the same time, Shahelmey said the Urgent Water Supply Scheme (UWSS) project at the Kasigui Penampang water treatment plant, which was initially scheduled for completion in April, has been delayed due to several issues, including unpredictable weather since early this year. "It should have been operational by now, but there have been constraints. However, I have been informed that it is expected to be fully completed by early July. "Once completed, the project would benefit users in Penampang, Putatan, Kota Kinabalu and surrounding areas," he added. – Bernama
