KOTA KINABALU: The Lahad Datu Barisan Nasional (BN) Information Chief Muhamad Gadzali Said, has asserted that addressing the water issue in Sabah must be prioritised immediately to end the suffering of the people who have long been victims of past policy failures.
In this regard, he welcomed the revelation by Libaran MP, Datuk Suhaimi Nasir, regarding the RM315 million compensation due to decisions made by Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal in 2019.
He stated that this figure clearly illustrates the significant implications when a policy is not formulated based on facts, strategies, and cost-benefit analysis, which should be the fundamental basis for every government decision.
“With such a substantial amount of RM315 million, the state government could construct a new water treatment plant, replace aging pipes that are the main cause of NRW (Non-Revenue Water) exceeding 50 percent, or provide subsidies to alleviate the cost of living for the people.
“Unfortunately, that money has merely gone to waste as compensation due to hasty political decisions,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Muhamad Gadzali, this issue is not just about infrastructure but is more fundamental as it reveals the weaknesses in governance and the integrity of past leadership.
“The termination of concession contracts without a comprehensive mitigation plan, without a clear transition schedule, without alternative water supply, and without financial guarantees only ensnares the people in prolonged service disruptions.
“When half of the state’s water supply is lost through NRW, and the people still have to queue with buckets waiting for water trucks, it is a clear reflection of leadership failure in fulfilling basic responsibilities,” he remarked.
In this context, he stressed that the future of Sabah’s water supply can no longer be jeopardized by populist political decisions.
Source – UMNO Online
