Water theft leaves Dept RM14 million poorer yearly
Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025
Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025
By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Shahelmey visits a water treatment plant. THE Sabah Water Department (JANS) recorded losses of approximately RM14 million in 2023 due to water theft from illegal pipe connections, according to Shahelmey. He said enforcement efforts have extended beyond squatter areas to commercial and industrial premises, with monitoring and surprise inspections carried out under the Sabah Water Supply Enactment 2023. 'From January to April this year, enforcement actions led to the issuance of 131 notices to domestic users, 33 to commercial premises, eight to industrial users, and two others in Tenom, including one welfare case,' he said. While public attention often focuses on enforcement in squatter settlements, where illegal lines are quickly reconnected, Shahelmey stressed that raids on businesses do take place despite perceptions to the contrary. As of April this year, 55 squatter settlements across Sabah have been identified as having multiple unauthorised pipe connections, posing a persistent challenge to enforcement. Shahelmey explained that enforcement is limited to disconnections from main pipelines, in line with the legal authority provided by the Water Supply Enactment.
Advertisement 'JANS only conducts continuous monitoring in line with its jurisdiction under EBAS 2023,' he said, in response to suggestions that monthly raids with security forces might deter theft. On the wider problem of non-revenue water (NRW), the Minister acknowledged that the level remains high across the state, with 56 per cent of treated water lost, of which 34 per cent is due to physical leakages. The State Government is funding NRW mitigation projects in six districts to address this, alongside pipe replacement works being carried out on a rolling basis. 'JANS has conducted and continues to carry out many replacement works of burst and broken pipes,' he said, noting that efforts are ongoing despite public concern over lack of visible progress. Shahelmey also confirmed that the Federal Government has been informed of the severity of the NRW issue and is supporting efforts to reduce losses through dedicated funding and programmes. 'Several Federal-funded projects have been implemented under the National NRW Programme – Phase 1 and Phase 2 – and projects under the State Development Plan are also ongoing,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Water theft leaves Dept RM14 million poorer yearly
Published on: Sunday, June 22, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 22, 2025 By: Ricardo Unto Text Size: Shahelmey visits a water treatment plant. THE Sabah Water Department (JANS) recorded losses of approximately RM14 million in 2023 due to water theft from illegal pipe connections, according to Shahelmey. He said enforcement efforts have extended beyond squatter areas to commercial and industrial premises, with monitoring and surprise inspections carried out under the Sabah Water Supply Enactment 2023. 'From January to April this year, enforcement actions led to the issuance of 131 notices to domestic users, 33 to commercial premises, eight to industrial users, and two others in Tenom, including one welfare case,' he said. While public attention often focuses on enforcement in squatter settlements, where illegal lines are quickly reconnected, Shahelmey stressed that raids on businesses do take place despite perceptions to the contrary. As of April this year, 55 squatter settlements across Sabah have been identified as having multiple unauthorised pipe connections, posing a persistent challenge to enforcement. Shahelmey explained that enforcement is limited to disconnections from main pipelines, in line with the legal authority provided by the Water Supply Enactment. Advertisement 'JANS only conducts continuous monitoring in line with its jurisdiction under EBAS 2023,' he said, in response to suggestions that monthly raids with security forces might deter theft. On the wider problem of non-revenue water (NRW), the Minister acknowledged that the level remains high across the state, with 56 per cent of treated water lost, of which 34 per cent is due to physical leakages. The State Government is funding NRW mitigation projects in six districts to address this, alongside pipe replacement works being carried out on a rolling basis. 'JANS has conducted and continues to carry out many replacement works of burst and broken pipes,' he said, noting that efforts are ongoing despite public concern over lack of visible progress. Shahelmey also confirmed that the Federal Government has been informed of the severity of the NRW issue and is supporting efforts to reduce losses through dedicated funding and programmes. 'Several Federal-funded projects have been implemented under the National NRW Programme – Phase 1 and Phase 2 – and projects under the State Development Plan are also ongoing,' he said.
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Borneo Post
Two student rallies in KK highlight diverging views on governance and corruption
UMS students making their way to Lintasan Deasoka during the Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0. KOTA KINABALU (June 21): Two peaceful rallies were held simultaneously in the state capital on Saturday, each delivering contrasting messages on governance and student concerns. The first rally, involving nearly 200 Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students from the Suara Mahasiswa group, was held under the banner of Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0, an anti-corruption movement. The second rally, staged by around 50 individuals from Mahasiswa Dan Anak Muda Sabah, voiced support for the State Government and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Noridi (front) and members of Mahasiswa Dan Anak Muda Sabah showing their support for the State Government. The UMS student group began their rally in front of Suria Sabah Shopping Mall before marching through Wisma Sabah, Wisma Merdeka, Segama Complex and Sinsuran Complex. Their demonstration concluded for the day at Lintasan Deasoka, where they planned to camp overnight before ending the protest at noon on Sunday, June 22. According to Suara Mahasiswa president Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim, the rally was not aimed at attacking the government, but rather to denounce corruption and unjust governance. Their key demands include: Legal action against the State Water Department over ongoing water supply issues at UMS, a full reform of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) commissioner appointment process, harsher penalties for individuals found guilty of bribery and public dissatisfaction with the appointment of Tun Musa Aman as the Sabah Head of State, citing his controversial past About 350 meters away at Taman Chong Thien Vun, near the old Kota Kinabalu Court House, the second peaceful gathering unfolded. Led by Noridi @ Noraidi Maya, the group expressed support for Chief Minister Hajiji and the State Government. Noridi clarified that their event was not a counter-rally but a separate show of solidarity. He highlighted various forms of government assistance received by students, such as the Sentosa, BUDI and SUBSIDI programs. Addressing the ongoing mining corruption scandal, Noridi said it was best to let authorities conduct their investigations and advised fellow students not to speculate on matters beyond their understanding. He also noted that infrastructure issues, including water and electricity, have been longstanding problems currently being addressed. On the appointment of Tun Musa as Head of State, Noridi said the matter is settled and should be respected.
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Daily Express
UiTM professor fined RM20,000 for false research claims
Published on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 Text Size: SHAH ALAM: A professor from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) was fined RM20,000 by the Sessions Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to submitting false salary claims for non-existent research work in 2021, the New Straits Times reported. Prof Datin Dr Hapizah Md Nawawi, 65, changed her plea to guilty on six alternative charges and was sentenced by Judge Datuk Mohd Nasir Nordin. Advertisement The court ordered 21 months' imprisonment in default of payment, but she paid the fine. Hapizah admitted to conspiring with Amirah Mohd Ariff to falsify documents for RM14,000 in salary claims for research work never carried out. The claims were linked to a project titled Mechanism of Drone-assisted Technology on Efficiency of Mass Disaster Victim Identification, conducted between April and October 2021. Twelve other alternative charges were taken into consideration under Section 171A of the Criminal Procedure Code. Advertisement The charges were framed under Section 109 of the Penal Code read with Section 471 and punishable under Section 465, which provides for up to two years' jail, a fine, or both. * 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
