SANDAKAN: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Member of Parliament for Sandakan, Vivian Wong, today urged all state leaders to align our priorities and to focus our full attention on resolving the water supply issues faced by the state.
“Stop using the water issue as a political football and play to the gallery. If all our experienced leaders can come together and pursue the water crisis in a single-minded manner, I believe the water issue can be resolved in the shortest possible time.”
Vivian, who is DAP Sabah Publicity Secretary as well as a DAP National Central Executive Committee member, is also a member of the Parliament Public Accounts Committee (PAC) delegation that was here for a 4-day visit to Sabah to investigate the seemingly never-ending water woes in the state.
Besides water supply problems, Vivian has also expressed her concern on the water quality issue. Thus, a dialogue between PAC members and the Sandakan Water Watch Committee headed by Datuk John Khoo was also held to highlight concerns of the Committee.
“We have endured regular water disruptions, seawater seepage into our water intake resulting in excessive chloride in drinking water, and even running out of diesel to run the generator that powered our water treatment plant. I believe it is high time all our agencies and departments work in synergy for the well-being of our people,” added Vivian.
Vivian stressed that even though water supply is under the purview of state government, all Sabah elected representatives, whether you are State Assemblyman or Member of Parliament, must prioritise the people’s interests and well-being before their political ambitions. “It is the responsibility of all elected representatives to resolve this water issue, and people must not continue to suffer in silence over water problems.”.