PUTRAJAYA: The federal government has initiated plans to resolve the water supply woes in Sabah and Kelantan.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he has met with Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob on the matter.
"We have to take over (in facilitating the process of resolving water supply issue) even if it involves a big allocation. We have to modify this.
That is why I mentioned yesterday (at the unity government convention), whether it needs sukuk or bonds, (but we need) to resolve the water problem.
"It will take too long if we go by our (government's) plan. It is included in the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and Madani budget.
"If I live in Sandakan and get water mixed with sea water, it will be a problem.
"Many districts in Sabah are affected, same with those in Kelantan. This is not a matter of politics but rather our policy," he said in his speech during the Prime Minister's Department assembly today.
He said he would discuss the matter further with the Economic Affairs Ministry and Finance Ministry as it involved a huge shift in policy.
He said although plans were in place to improve water supply in the two states, it would take too long to implement them in stages.
"There are things that need to be expedited. Like road potholes, we have allocated more than RM1 billion this year.
These are among the matters that government staff need to be ready to make a shift away from the usual policymaking."
He said the government would review the 12MP by making several adjustments, especially on water supply issues in the two states.
Yesterday, Anwar was reported as saying that he would meet Hajiji and Ahmad within two weeks to find a solution to the long-standing water supply problems in the two states.
Earlier, Anwar asked the Prime Minister's Department staff to continue striving for excellence in their work.
"Madani starts with faith, and when you havbe that, your commitment and efforts will be different.
"With this spirit, I ask that we prepare to make several shifts.
"For example, we are preparing the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
"This does not mean we're undermining the previous government's efforts.
"But we must strive for excellence and (be willing to) review any weaknesses." he said.