KOTA BELUD: Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick said the state government needs to be proactive to work with the Federal Government to address the water supply problem in Sabah.
Ewon, who is also the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) president, said there were concerns that economic growth and the arrival of investors would be hindered if the state’s water supply problems were not resolved.
He said that the meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sabah Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in Putrajaya, yesterday showed the Unity Government’s determination to find a solution to the problem plaguing the people of Sabah all this while.
“I would like to thank the Prime Minister for his concern for Malaysians, especially in the two states of Sabah and Kelantan which are facing water problems.
“The announcement of additional allocations for that purpose demonstrates the unity government’s strong determination to solve the problems facing the people of this country.
“I hope the State Government takes proactive steps to better serve the people of Sabah by upgrading facilities, identifying new water sources, repairing old pipes as well as to identify and plug leaks,” he said.
“I believe that at the federal level we have delivered what needs to be done and people expect the state governments to be proactive in improving their ability to solve water problems,” he said.
Ewon said this when met by reporters after the handing over of Petronas Foundation’s assistance in conjunction with the 2023 Kamatan Festival at the Kota Belud Sports Complex Multipurpose Hall, here today.
Ewon, who is also Kadamaian state assemblyman and Member of Parliament for Penampang said that Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah representatives who are Members of Parliament as well as members of the state legislative assembly had previously held a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss various matters on the development agenda in Sabah.
“We appealed for the need for significant additional funding to address water, electricity, roads and communications issues as well as entrepreneurship development in Sabah.
“As a result of the meeting, the prime minister responded positively and approved our proposal and additional allocations to solve the water problem in Sabah, as announced yesterday,” he said.
