The Sabah government’s plan to enforce a ban on household water pumps after Ramadan has ignited a firestorm, with angry residents and political leaders accusing officials of punishing the public instead of fixing the state’s long-standing water crisis.

At the center of the controversy is the Sabah Water Department (JANS), which says it will crack down on pumps installed before water meters under Section 56 of the Sabah Water Supply Enactment (Amendment) 2022.

The department  insists the move is necessary to prevent pressure imbalances that can further disrupt water distribution.

For struggling households, the explanation rings hollow. In high-rise buildings and remote areas, water pumps have become a lifeline for basic needs.

Many say they wouldn’t need them if the government could provide a reliable supply in the first place.

“If they continue to ignore this problem, I will bring the voice of the people and hold a demonstration to demand justice!” warned Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong, vowing to resist enforcement of the rule.

Consumer groups and political leaders are already lining up against the plan.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) vice youth chief Yong Yit Jee called it a “misguided” policy, arguing that the state should focus on upgrading water treatment plants and fixing broken pipes instead of penalizing frustrated consumers.

“People are installing pumps because they don’t have a choice,” Yong said.

The National Consumer Foundation’s Sabah chairman, David Chan, echoed the sentiment, saying enforcement without first fixing pressure issues would only create more hardship.

“Fines are not the solution,” he said.

The backlash comes as Sabah grapples with aging infrastructure and rampant illegal water connections.

UMNO Sabah chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin took aim at the government’s slow response, particularly with Aidilfitri around the corner—a period of peak demand.

“How far has JANS investigated illegal connections? How many people have been prosecuted?” Bung Moktar asked, accusing officials of using the issue as an excuse while neglecting the bigger problem.

With Sabah’s non-revenue water (NRW) losses among the worst in Malaysia—hovering between 56% and 60%—the numbers paint a grim picture. Reports show that 70–75% of water loss comes from leaks and burst pipes, 15–20% from illegal connections, and the rest from billing errors and metering failures.

Under Section 56 of the Sabah Water Supply Enactment 2003, consumers who modify their plumbing systems to gain more water than allocated face fines of up to RM10,000.

Critics say such punitive measures miss the mark when the real crisis is the government’s failure to secure basic water access for all.

“The people should not have to suffer inadequate water supply, especially during festive seasons,” Bung Moktar said, urging the state to pursue long-term solutions instead of crackdowns.

For now, JANS has yet to respond to the mounting criticism. But with the pump ban still set to take effect, the government’s failure to address Sabah’s worsening water crisis risks turning discontent into something far bigger.

A RM300 million federal loan meant to fund short-term solutions remains tied up in bureaucracy, with the Sabah Finance Ministry still handling procurement.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya confirmed that 18 water projects have been identified—but work won’t begin until the red tape clears. – March 6, 2025