A prolonged water supply disruption at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has been traced back to a faulty gauge — but not before institutional tempers flared, accusations flew, and a very public dispute unfolded between the university and the Sabah State Water Department (JANS).

A closed-door meeting was held on June 5 between Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, UMS Vice Chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Kasim Mansor, senior officers from JANS, and representatives from the Sabah Works Ministry. The outcome: a truce of sorts — and a mutual admission that poor communication had allowed the situation to spiral.

At the heart of the fallout was a public statement issued by JANS on May 29, claiming that water supply from the R13 tank — the main source feeding UMS — was sufficient to meet the university’s needs. 

The department suggested the issue might lie with UMS’s internal pumps, hinting that they needed upgrading or replacement.

The remark did not sit well with the vice chancellor. 

Kasim reacted by accusing the department of downplaying the severity of the supply issues, stating that the matter had been “politicised.” 

However, he offered no details as to how the matter became political as he described the water supply problems on campus as a “small issue” between institutions. 

Shahelmey confirmed that the real cause of the confusion was a faulty analog water level indicator at the R13 tank, which had misrepresented water availability.

A new digital system, currently held at customs, he said, adding that it was expected to be installed within the week to improve accuracy and restore confidence.

“One of the main issues identified during our site visit was miscommunication between JANS and UMS regarding the water level indicator.

“That has been addressed. Both parties have now agreed to collaborate more closely, especially on technical coordination and communication,” he told reporters. 

However, the deputy chief minister also revealed that water supply to the R13 tank had already stabilised since mid-May — well before the matter exploded into public view. 

Shahelmey hinted that the public confrontation might have been avoidable had communication been better managed internally.

“We’re now focused on resolving whatever is within our control. The past has past,” he said.

UMS has struggled with chronic water shortages on campus for years, prompting student complaints and more recently talk of legal action. 

Kasim confirmed that the university had constructed nine tube wells with federal funding, providing about 1 to 1.5 million litres per day — enough for cleaning and sanitation, but not sufficient for drinking or full campus operations.

“The water from the tube wells is not treated and not for drinking. It’s just a backup. We still need the main supply to be consistent,” he said.

Despite his sharp initial response to JANS earlier, Kasim struck a more conciliatory tone this, thanking the state government for continued support, including funding for research and water resilience.

“The government has given us a lot. What we need now is stability in the water supply system, and I believe we’re on the right track,” he said.

Two key infrastructure projects are expected to ease the pressure in the coming weeks. 

Shahelmey said the Telibong 2 Phase 2 pipeline, which will allow the full 165 MLD capacity from the Telibong treatment plants to be channelled, is on track for completion by early July. 

Both UMS and JANS will conduct a joint site inspection after the digital indicator is installed to ensure technical alignment and to prevent future blame games.

Meanwhile, as Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the state water department moved to resolve their public spat, student group Suara Mahasiswa UMS said its planned Gempur Rasuah Sabah 2.0 protest will still go ahead on June 21 and 22.

This follows a meeting on June 5 between the student leaders and Vice Chancellor Datuk Professor Dr Kasim Mansor, where they laid out demands including a RM100 million lawsuit against JANS, student fee reductions, and the removal of a 2023 UMS statement they said condemned peaceful protests.

In a statement after the meeting, Suara Mahasiswa said the vice chancellor acknowledged their right to assemble and agreed to consider a formal memorandum to the Higher Education Ministry regarding fee relief. 

They also criticised the state’s decision to celebrate UMS Chancellor Tun Musa Aman’s birthday on the same weekend as the protest, calling him an absentee figure who has failed to engage the campus community.

“This protest is not a disruption. It’s a demand for dignity,” said Suara Mahasiswa president Fadhil Kasim. – June 6, 2025