Kota Kinabalu: Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said a thorough investigation will be carried out on unscrupulous parties said to be profiteering from the sale of water in areas hit by dry taps.
He said he received numerous reports of transporters or companies making excessive profits, charging up to nearly 10 times the regular rate for water supply in those areas.
However, he said the Ministry needs to gather detailed information on the matter before taking any action.
“I am currently in the process of obtaining the facts. The water transporters or companies have no right to raise the prices like this,” he said, Wednesday.
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“However, there are those who buy and sell at uncontrolled prices of up to RM14 or RM28 per cubic metre, when the price from the water depot is only RM3 per cubic metre,” he said.
Shahelmey, who is also Works Minister, said the Water Department is now reducing or cutting down on the sale of water supply to these companies.
“We will put a stop to it...but give me time,” he said.
On the RM320 million special grant from the Federal Government, Shahelmey said the Ministry has yet to get it.
“The State is aggressively pursuing the matter and will discuss avenues to tackle the issue.
“We can’t wait and see. We need to resolve the water shortage issue quickly,” he said, while calling for stricter and more proactive enforcement against water thefts, said to still be happening amid the ongoing supply crisis.
Asked about supply problems in squatter areas where water theft is also suspected to be taking place, Shahelmey said a prepaid system can be adopted, just like what is being done for power supply in those locations.
On another development, the Putatan Member of Parliament cum Tanjung Keramat Assemblyman said he has not received any official letter regarding his suspension as an Umno member.
On March 18, Sabah Umno Liaison Chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin announced that Shahelmey’s membership in Umno has been suspended for six years for going against the party’s decision to withdraw support for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Apart from Shahelmey, four other assemblymen who expressed a similar stance have been called by the board, namely Datuk Jasnih Daya (Pantai Dalit); Datuk James Ratib (Sugut); Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk); and Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob (Sindumin).
However, on Feb 21, Jasnih, James, Mohd Arshad, and Yusof, together with another Umno Assemblyman, Datuk [email protected] Awang (Balung), quit Umno to join the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat).
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