THE State Government is upgrading sewerage infrastructure in urban areas, including the City, to improve system efficiency and address frequent blockages.
Assistant Works and Utility Minister Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah said the Sabah Sewerage Services Department (JPP) is currently upgrading sewerage pipelines along Jalan Teluk Likas and Jalan Tuaran Bypass under the Kota Kinabalu Sewerage Scheme.
He said the projects utilise trenchless technology known as Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP), allowing repairs to be carried out without open excavation while minimising disruption to traffic, businesses and the surrounding environment.
“The CIPP technology can extend the lifespan of sewerage pipes by up to 50 years, making it a sustainable, efficient and cost-effective long-term solution,” he said in response to a question by Api-Api assemblyman Loi Kok Liang at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here on Wednesday.
Ruddy said the Ministry acknowledges the need to upgrade sewerage assets in Kota Kinabalu and has introduced a robotic CCTV pipe inspection and mapping programme under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
He said the initiative is aimed at identifying defects and facilitating early upgrading and rehabilitation works in urban sewerage systems.
Ruddy said frequent sewer blockages in urban areas are mainly caused by improper disposal of waste and FOG (fat, oil and grease) into the sewerage system.
“Based on complaint statistics received by JPP for the Api-Api area this year, most blockage cases were due to the disposal of rubbish and FOG,” he said.
He said JPP remains committed to raising public awareness on proper sewerage system care through outreach and education programmes.
Ruddy said in 2025, the department conducted three awareness programmes in the City at SRK Sacred Heart, SM Maktab Sabah and Dewan Hakka Likas.
He said four additional awareness programmes are planned for urban areas in 2026, alongside integrated inspections with City Hall (DBKK) enforcement to curb illegal disposal into manholes.
Ruddy said the JPP currently operates one desludging tanker and is taking steps to increase the number to strengthen desludging services in the area.
He said two outsourced contracts have also been appointed to handle sewerage complaints in the Central Business District (CBD).