Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to strengthening the capabilities of Sabah’s local workforce, particularly in the water sector, as part of its broader development agenda.
Hajiji said equipping local professionals with up-to-date knowledge and skills would enable them to lead in adopting new technologies and practices.
“This investment in human capital is crucial for the sustainable development of all sectors,” he said.
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');});His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Abidin Madingkir, at the opening of the Asiawater Sabah Conference and Expo at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here, on Wednesday.
He said the economic benefits of a strong water and wastewater industry were far-reaching, contributing to better public health and increased productivity.
“As we invest in our water infrastructure, we also stimulate job creation and economic growth, ensuring that all Sabahans benefit from these advancements,” Hajiji said.
He said the Asiawater Sabah Conference and Expo as a significant platform to address issues in the state’s water sector and encouraged participants to engage in meaningful discourse and explore innovative solutions.
“Over the next couple of days, I trust you will explore new avenues for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
“More importantly, let us enhance capabilities and develop effective strategies to improve water services for our communities,” he said.
The two-day event gathers stakeholders and industry players to deliberate on key challenges and advancements in the water and wastewater sectors, with a focus on sustainable solutions for Sabah.
Also present were Jetama Water Chairman Liau Fui Fui, Informa Markets Malaysia Country General Manager Gerard Williem Leeuwenburgh, Malaysian Water Association (MWA) President Hairi Basri, officials from the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra), representatives from Informa Markets and senior management of Jetama Sdn Bhd.
The two-day event, which ends August 8, features over 30 conference sessions on infrastructure planning, regulatory challenges and water management strategies.
The conference also reflects cooperation between the Sabah Government and the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Petra.
Jetama, which supplies treated water to Sabah’s west coast, operates six treatment plants, the Babagon Dam, 200km of transmission mains and 30 service reservoirs.
The company has expanded into desalination and renewable energy to strengthen water resilience.
Its industrial desalination plant at POIC Lahad Datu produces 500,000 litres of industrial-grade water every eight hours.
Jetama’s 10MWac solar plant in Labuan, commissioned in 2024, generates 23 GWh annually and reduces 11,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Two more solar projects, a floating solar PV system at Babagon Dam and a ground-mounted plant in Batu Sapi, are scheduled to begin operations in 2026.
Liau said Jetama is open to broader partnerships beyond the water sector.
“We may expand beyond water into renewable energy, especially if partnerships like this continue,” she said.
She emphasised that Asiawater offers a platform for targeted knowledge sharing between industry and government.
“This is not just an exhibition, it’s a platform to share and apply what works,” she said.
The next edition of Asiawater will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from April 7 to 9, 2026.
More information is available at the website www.asiawater.org (http://www.asiawater.org.
