TAWAU: The plight of the people of Sebatik Island facing water supply crisis was addressed when 1,000 cartons of drinking water were distributed by Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat), in Kg Mentadak Baru, here, on Friday.
Harapan Rakyat President Brig Gen (R) Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah said he received complaints from residents about the lack of clean water supply due to lack of rain and dry water treatment plant.
“Taking into account the need of the people and difficulty of living without water, we decided to channel immediate donations to the affected residents from several villages.
“Even though we are not the elected people’s representatives in Sebatik, as a component of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), it is Harapan Rakyat’s responsibility to ease the burden of the affected people in Sebatik Island,” he said after presenting donations to residents from Kampung Wallace Bay, Sungai Tamang, Mentadak, Sungai Tamang Lama and Sungai Laba.
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Liew said giving out the contributions is in line with the recommendations of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor who wants each GRS component to cooperate with each other in providing services to the people.
“However, I appeal to the government, especially the Public Works Department and the State Water Department, to take immediate action to overcome this problem, especially in upgrading Sebatik Island water plant.
“This matter needs to be expedited because it involves the basic needs of about 11 villages.
“At the same time, I am also planning to cooperate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Malaysian Farmers’ Organisation to channel aid to farmers or breeders in Sebatik Island.
“I hope that through programmes and initiatives of assistance provided by the government can be expanded and delivered to the people here,” he said.
According to Liew, if the related programme runs smoothly, it is not only for generating income for the residents, but also improving the socio-economic standard and creating job opportunities for villagers.