KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Government has allocated grants totalling RM444.96 million to strengthen water supply infrastructure in Sabah, including replacing critical pipelines and implementing measures to reduce non-revenue water (NRW).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the initiatives aim to improve the efficiency of the water supply system and expand access to clean water, particularly in areas that continue to face infrastructure constraints.
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said six water supply projects in Sarawak, with a total cost of RM1.272 billion and to be implemented through loan financing, would continue under the First Rolling Plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“In Labuan, efforts to improve the reliability of the water supply system are continuing through the maintenance, repair and replacement of critical components, including pumping systems, with the aim of improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of water supply disruptions for consumers.
“The implementation of these projects will be coordinated with the state governments, taking into account development priorities, residents’ needs and the applicable financial procedures,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 at the policy stage for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.
In the long term, Fadillah said the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) had begun monitoring groundwater using smart technology in April 2026 to assess the potential of this resource as an alternative water supply for the island.
