Caption: Dr Carmen presenting an association momento to En Amrie, Deputy Director of SIRIM Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: In a landmark move to fortify the state’s water security, the Sabah Plumbers Association (SPA) and the Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) have announced a strategic collaboration with SIRIM (Sabah).
This partnership aims to overhaul plumbing standards across Sabah, addressing systemic issues like Non-Revenue Water (NRW) while driving a new era of sustainable and cost-efficient development for the state.
As Sabah continues its infrastructure growth, this collaboration serves as a crucial bridge between industrial development and household safety.
By aligning with SIRIM’s national material quality standards and professionalising the plumbing trade, the initiative provides a comprehensive framework to protect the public and enhance the value of residential and commercial assets.
The strategic partnership is anchored by two primary objectives: firstly, instilling a culture of quality by mandating the use of SIRIM-compliant, high-grade materials; the initiative eliminates the latent defects caused by inferior piping, which is currently the leading cause of pipeline failure in the state.
Secondly, creating standards for economic sustainability: The framework introduces a “value-focused” approach to construction.
While ensuring higher durability and reliability, it drastically reduces the long-term financial burden on homeowners and investors by eliminating recurring maintenance costs, leak-related repairs, and water bill waste associated with sub-standard installations.
A call to regulatory bodies, investors, and the public – This framework is designed to provide “lifetime transparency” for households through the Plumbing Passport system, ensuring that developers and property owners can track material traceability and service history.
For government regulatory bodies, this initiative offers a clear roadmap for legislative gazettement and integration into building by-laws to ensure statewide compliance.
For investors and developers, adopting these standards protects project integrity and enhances resale value, offering a long-term cost advantage of over 600% compared to traditional, low-quality methods.
For the general public, the initiative guarantees that “water security” becomes a reliable household right, safeguarded by modern technology and rigorous pressure-testing protocols.
The SPA continues to act as the primary technical liaison, working alongside key strategic partners thru government agencies, including JANS, DIDR, CIDB, and JETAMA, as well as professional associations, namely SPA, IEM, ACEM, etc., to ensure that these improved standards become the baseline for all projects in Sabah.
For more information on the Standardised Piping Systems Framework and how this collaboration impacts future development, please contact the Sabah Plumbers Association or the KCCI secretariat.
The simple engagement with SIRIM today was led by SPA President Dr Carmen Lee and committee members, whereas KCCI was represented by Mr Carl Moosom, who was recently appointed to the SPA Advisory Council.
SIRIM was led by Mr Amrie, representing Pn Rommella, the SIRIM Sabah Director. Sabah Plumbers Association (SPA): The administrative and engineering backbone of Sabah’s plumbing infrastructure, dedicated to professionalising the trade and ensuring infrastructure reliability (KCCI).
Representing the interests of the business community, KCCI facilitates industrial growth and promotes sustainable economic development across the state.
