KUALA LUMPUR: The federal government has approved an aid of RM320.25 million to help Sabah solve its water woes.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the state's plans to address the water issue in Putrajaya today .
The allocation will be used to implement six programmes involving 20 projects in Sabah, including nine projects under district plans for Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Putatan, Papar, Beaufort, Keningau, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.
Expressing his gratitude to the prime minister's swift decision, Hajiji said the projects were expected to be completed within six to 12 months.
Hajiji said the state government's long-term sustainable water supply plans included the construction of two dams in Papar and Upper Padas, Sipitang.
In response, Anwar called for the immediate setting up of a task force comprising state and federal ministries to seek a holistic approach and the best way forward.
Accompanying Hajiji at the meeting with the prime minister were state Deputy Chief Minister III and Works Minister Datuk Shahelmy Yahya and state secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong.