KUALA LUMPUR: Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah has once again highlighted persistent rural electricity and water supply problems, as well as poor road infrastructure, which continue to affect thousands of residents in his constituency.
He called on the Rural and Regional Development Ministry (KKDW) to take immediate and proactive measures to address the longstanding issues.
Speaking during the committee-stage debate on the ministry’s budget in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, Matbali said he had repeatedly raised all three issues over the past four years, including during the recent debate on Budget 2027.
He said several Rural Water Supply (BALB) projects, particularly water treatment projects in Kampung Usuk, Sungai Lukutan and Pepolor-Sungai Tiga in Sipitang, had yet to be implemented.
The delay has affected 7,319 residents from 1,219 households across 21 villages, who are still without adequate access to clean water.
“The ministry’s written reply dated Nov 6, 2024, stated that the projects were at the stage of appointing a lead consultant. However, they have yet to be implemented.
“We want the ministry to clarify the latest status of these BALB projects, the allocations provided, the obstacles hindering their implementation and when residents can expect to receive clean water,” he said.
On electricity supply, Matbali said six villages in Mukim Malamam alone, comprising 287 households and 2,073 residents, were still facing electricity supply problems.
He said he had previously raised concerns over the Rural Electricity Supply (BELB) project involving a Hybrid Solar System (SSH), which covers seven villages – Long Pasia, Long Mio, Ulu Bole, Iburu, Mengayam, Rundulang and Meligan – with an estimated 2,875 users.
“The project has reportedly been abandoned since 2019, despite being granted nine extensions of time (EOTs). As a result, residents have been forced to rely on solar lamps and generator sets as alternative sources of electricity.
“We want the ministry to investigate possible leakages in this project, which has been stalled for seven years. Despite repeatedly raising the issue over the years, the oral and written replies we have received have failed to outline any concrete and decisive action,” he said.
On road infrastructure, Matbali thanked KKDW Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang for her response during the question-and-answer session earlier in the morning regarding the proposed upgrading of the 42km Meligan-Long Pasia road.
He said the clarification that the project had been submitted for consideration under the First Rolling Plan (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) was reassuring and offered renewed hope.
He also welcomed the assurance that the upgrading of the Kampung Bamban-Mendulong-Meligan road was currently undergoing its third tender exercise at the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR).
“We greatly appreciate the details provided on the road upgrading projects, as well as Mentulud 1 Road and Mentulud 2 Road,” he said.
