SANDAKAN: Sungai Manila Assemblyman Datuk Mokran Ingkat denied claims that he failed to take action over the prolonged water supply issue affecting Kampung Rancangan Luboh and surrounding areas, here.
He said the issue had persisted for over seven years and involved a large portion of the district, not just one village.
“I understand the situation. On June 13, I attended a briefing with the district water engineer and was informed that the issue affects many areas, not just Kampung Rancangan Luboh,” he said in a statement.
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');});According to Mokran, several measures had been taken, including the installation of a 2,400-litre water tank in the village in 2021.
“Additional tanks were also proposed, but the application to the Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) was rejected due to his status as a non-government assemblyman.
“I do not have full executive power. This is the limitation faced by the opposition. Still, I continue working for the people’s benefit,” he said.
Mokran emphasised that the Sabah State Water Department is currently constructing five large water tanks around Sandakan, but the projects had yet to be completed.
He said pipe leaks caused by increased water pressure had also contributed to the delays.
He stressed that the core problem lies in the failure of implementation by departments and agencies, not due to elected representatives neglecting their duties.
“I urge for the baseless accusations against me to be retracted immediately,” he said.
He also questioned the effectiveness of deploying only two water supply trucks to cover the entire area, saying the demand far exceeds that capacity.
Mokran revealed that he had brought in experts from the Sirim Institute in Kedah to explore alternatives, including the proposal to install a 2,000-litre-per-day water treatment plant. However, the plan was hindered by political and administrative constraints.
“I see myself as an opposition assemblyman without full authority, but I have never stopped raising the water issue at every State Assembly sitting,” he said.
Mokran, who is also Umno Libaran Division Deputy Chief, urged all relevant agencies and ministries to treat the issue with urgency and to prioritise long-term solutions, not only for water but also persistent problems such as power supply, education and road conditions.