Kota Kinabalu: The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) dismissed Warisan’s claim that corporatisation of the Sabah Water Department would burden the people, calling it misleading and irresponsible.
LDP Vice President Sim Fui said Warisan was blurring the line between corporatisation and privatisation to create fear.
“Corporatisation is about professionalising management while keeping ownership fully with the State. It is not about profit-making,” he said in a statement, Friday.
He emphasised that Penang and Selangor had proven the model works, reducing leakages and inefficiency, while safeguards remain in place to prevent sudden tariff hikes.
“Warisan is trying to frighten families into believing bills will skyrocket. That is scaremongering,” he said.
Sim also noted that even former Warisan-appointed Water Department Director Datuk Dr Amarjit Singh openly supported corporatisation this year.
“If their own former official now says corporatisation is necessary, how can Warisan reject it?” he said.
On job security, he said staff would be absorbed under the new entity with proper KPIs and accountability measures, not retrenchment.
Sim concluded that Warisan had no alternative plan.
“Water is a basic right. Corporatisation under full state ownership is the practical step to restore confidence.
“Warisan is recycling rhetoric, while we are focused on solutions,” he said.