KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Works Ministry, through the Water Department (JANS), is intensifying efforts to improve long-term water supply across the state under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), with 52 projects ongoing statewide.
Assistant Works Minister Datuk Limus Jury said JANS is focusing on delivering safe, treated water through high-impact projects in rural and urban areas, while also preparing for the 13MP by proposing masterplans for all districts and a state-wide Water Grid strategy.
JANS has also submitted priority proposals to the federal government, including replacing old pipes in Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, and Sandakan, and implementing a Non-Revenue Water (NRW) programme in Keningau and Beaufort.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Limus added that JANS plans to build 22 pre-sedimentation tanks under the 13MP and supports alternative supply initiatives like rainwater harvesting, though its role is limited to treated water distribution.
Separately, Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said 1,200km of aging asbestos cement pipes across Sabah will be replaced in phases due to high costs, with active repair and upgrade works ongoing in Sandakan, Keningau, and Kota Kinabalu to tackle frequent leaks and disruptions.
