KUALA LUMPUR: The government has approved a RM300 million grant to help resolve Sabah's water issues.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the Cabinet approved the grant under the Fourth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan last Sept.
Some RM200 million will be used for four short-term water supply projects.
"The Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry is also seeking a realignment of costs from the Economy Ministry for an additional RM100 million based on the Cabinet approval.
"The ministry will ensure that approved projects are regularly monitored through site visits and meetings with responsible agencies."
He said this in response to Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) in Dewan Rakyat today.
Bung had asked about the status of the federal government's assistance to the Sabah state government in addressing the short-term water supply issues in Sabah, and other plans for long-term assistance.
He had also said the water woes in Sabah were no longer just a shortage, but a "crisis."
Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Minister, said the Sabah government approved an allocation of RM163.55 million for water connection projects.
"For long-term solutions, the Sabah state government can apply (for allocation) under the next rolling plan based on project planning and requirements," he said, adding that water supply was under the jurisdiction of the state government.
He also said one of Sabah's challenges was the high non-revenue water (NRW) levels, at over 50 per cent.
NRW is water that has been produced but lost before it reaches the consumers.
The national NRW average is 37.2 per cent. Apart from Sabah, three other states which report an NRW of over 50 per cent are Kedah, Kelantan, and Perlis.
"That is why our priority is to replace the pipes, with its funding being given through grants.
"We hope this will reduce the NRW. At the same time, the Sabah government needs to take action to reduce NRW by addressing illegal extensions of water connections," added Fadillah.