A Warisan leader has raised concerns over the status of the Urgent Water Supply Scheme (UWSS) project in Kasigui, Penampang, warning that residents may continue facing disruptions if the treatment plant fails to meet its scheduled completion.
Political Secretary to Warisan’s deputy president, Pritchard Gumbaris, said it appeared unlikely that the plant would be ready by the original April 30 deadline, based on recent site observations.
“The building structure is still under construction. The suction plant, treatment facilities, supply channels — none of them are ready. Even the storage tanks have yet to be installed.
“I’m worried because the people are suffering from a lack of treated water, and they deserve clear and honest updates,” he said in a statement in Kota Kinabalu on Tuesday.
Water supply issues have long plagued areas in Penampang, particularly affecting high-rise apartments in Kepayan and landed housing areas in Moyog.
Gumbaris said he had received numerous complaints and called on authorities, including Public Works Department, Jabatan Air, and Jetama Sdn Bhd, to be transparent on the real progress of the project.
Deputy Chief Minister III and Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya when contacted said the project remains on track for commissioning by 22 June 2025, with current overall progress at 71% as of April 29.
“The major civil, mechanical, and electrical works are substantially completed. We project the progress will reach 83% by May upon installation of the package plant,” Shahelmey said.
He added that construction of the Main Switch Board room is expected to be completed by the end of May, with commissioning and trial runs scheduled to begin by June 22.
The 5 million litres per day (MLD) package plant is part of efforts to ease water supply strains in the Putatan region, where existing treatment plants are running beyond capacity.
The Kasigui plant, originally designed for 50 MLD, is currently producing approximately 53 MLD.
Shahelmey attributed delays to external factors beyond the contractor and Jetama’s control, including frequent heavy rainfall and the late relocation of SESB lighting poles and cables, which caused a combined delay of over 150 days.
Other issues such as illegal settler disturbances, underground disposal discoveries, and wayleave approvals had also temporarily affected progress but have since been resolved, he said.
The project, implemented under a Private Funding Initiative (PFI) and fully financed by Jetama, had started preliminary works even before the official Letter of Award was issued in February 2025 to expedite delivery due to urgent demand.
Despite the government’s assurances, Gumbaris urged the state to allow public inspection of the site to verify progress.
“If the project is on schedule, open the gates to the press and the public. Let everyone see for themselves,” he said.
He also questioned the continued strain on residents despite the state securing a RM6 billion federal loan to address Sabah’s water and sewerage infrastructure issues. – April 29, 2025
