Kota Kinabalu: Former Senator Datuk John Ambrose has urged Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal to be more realistic in his campaign pledges, particularly over Sabah’s longstanding water crisis.
John said Shafie’s promise to resolve the State’s water issues within a year if Warisan returns to power was overly ambitious and not grounded on reality.
Instead, he pointed to Sabah BN Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin’s three-year timeline as a more sensible approach although the latter was referring to projects implemented by the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) State Government.
“Don’t try to mislead the people with unrealistic promises,” John said in a statement.
“Even Bung Moktar has said Sabah BN would take least three years to fix Sabah’s water problems if it is the government,” he said.
Earlier, Warisan vowed to resolve Sabah’s long-standing water supply problem within a year if they are returned to power in the coming State election, with Shafie saying it is not an empty promise because he knows where the problem lies.
Recently, Bung expressed confidence that the State’s long-standing water problems can be resolved within three years if the coalition is given the mandate to govern.
He said the state government must push the Federal government to expedite funding.
John, who is also GRS Supreme Council member, accused Warisan and Bung Moktar of attempting to take credit for ongoing infrastructure projects initiated by the current Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government.
“They’re claiming they can fix everything in one year and three years, respectively, but the truth is they’re riding on projects that are already in motion under GRS,” he said.
“Lembu punya susu, sapi dapat nama,” he added, using a Malay proverb to criticise Warisan for allegedly claiming credit for others’ work.
John cited multiple large-scale water supply projects that are currently underway or have been completed under GRS, many of which have timelines stretching into 2026 and beyond.
Among them are the Kogopon II Water Treatment Plant in Papar and the Cinta Mata Dam in Tawau – both expected to be completed in 2026 – as well as the Ulu Padas Hydroelectric and Water Supply Project, a long-term solution projected for completion in 2030.
“These projects take years to plan, fund, and implement. There is no magic wand to fix Sabah’s water issues overnight,” John said.
Other significant undertakings include rural water systems in Pitas and Lahad Datu, new water storage tanks in Sandakan, and multiple completed or ongoing treatment plants in places like Tuaran, Kundasang, Beaufort and Semporna.
John warned that turning water supply into a political gimmick does a disservice to the people who are depending on real, long-term solutions.
“When Warisan says they can solve it all in a year and also Bung Moktar in three years, perhaps they are just pointing to what’s already being done by GRS. Let’s be honest and realistic with the people,” he said.