Kota Kinabalu: Sungai Manila Assemblyman Mokran Ingkat called for urgent and decisive government intervention to tackle critical issues that continue to strain the daily lives of Sabahans.
“In the past month alone, there have been two demonstrations staged by residents over the prolonged water shortages,” Mokran said, highlighting the mounting frustration among the public.
The most recent protest occurred just three days ago in Taman Permata, with another demonstration held previously in Kampung Peringkat Enam Rancangan Lubuh, Sandakan.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Mokran outlined the widespread impact of water supply problems affecting both his constituents in Sungai Manila and those in Sandakan.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Water Department in addressing these issues, he noted that some progress had been made after meeting with the District Engineer, for which he expressed gratitude.
However, he stressed that these temporary fixes were insufficient to solve the long-term water supply problems in the region.
“I sincerely hope that efforts to resolve Sabah’s water challenges will continue, especially given that the Water Department has been allocated the largest share of this year’s budget,” he added, emphasising the need for sustained action and greater efficiency in using the funds.
Mokran also raised concerns about the ongoing issue of bursting pipes in his constituency, which have resulted from increased water pressure. This problem follows the previous issue of low water pressure, which had already been a major inconvenience.
He urged the government to give particular attention to the water pipeline connections leading to village areas, which remain vulnerable to bursts despite improvements to the main connections.
“While the main pipelines have been replaced, the branch pipes connecting to the villages frequently burst under increased pressure.”
“I hope this year’s allocation can be fully utilised to upgrade our entire water distribution system,” Mokran emphasised, calling for focused government efforts to address Sabah’s ongoing water supply issues and ensure a more reliable and sustainable infrastructure for the future.
Shifting to electricity concerns, Mokran highlighted potential blackouts at educational institutions within the Sabah Education Hub in Sandakan.
He informed the assembly that a concessionaire responsible for payments was allegedly awaiting payment from four institutions before settling their own bills, leading to disconnection warnings from Sabah Electricity.
“I am concerned that if this issue is not resolved, the educational institutions there – namely UMS, MRSM, Polytechnic, and Vocational College – will once again be without power,” he said.
Addressing road connectivity, Mokran acknowledged the Public Works Department’s maintenance efforts but lamented their lack of durability, observing that roads quickly developed potholes after repairs.
He urged for more meticulous and systematic maintenance, questioning the quality of materials or outdated methods. He also criticized the slow pace of major road repair works, citing lengthy culvert replacement projects near Sabah Hotel and ongoing delays on Jalan Nasalim.
The Assemblyman also brought attention to the issue of affordable housing, relaying concerns from the B40 youth group who recently aired their grievances via a TikTok podcast called “Kunyangyang Show” by the group “Merpati Simpang”.
He noted their frustration over homes developed on LPPB land, intended as affordable, but priced at RM300,000 or more, which he stated was beyond the reach of young individuals earning RM1,700-RM2,000. He called for LPPB to genuinely develop
“Therefore, we appeal to the government to ensure that LPPB genuinely develops affordable housing on its own land, and not burden the community.”