Water Shortage Makes Amendments To Act Meaningless For Labuan Says Anifah

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Labuan Corporation chairman Anifah Aman said he was grateful to the prime minister for allocating RM1.1 billion to address water problems in Sabah, Labuan and Kelantan but hoped these projects will be implemented soon. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: Amendments to the National Water Services Commission Act 2006 “mean nothing” to the people of Labuan if this important resource is not available readily on the island, a senator from Sabah said.
Anifah Aman said water pipes had not been properly maintained or repaired for the past three to four decades due to a lack of funds, leading to constant water cuts.
These water cuts make it difficult to attract investors to the island, said Anifah, who is also the Labuan Corporation chairman.
“We briefed three Fortune 500 companies but we could not hide the fact that we have problems with our power and water supply.
“So they told me ‘thank you very much’ and left.
“How are we to develop Labuan when there is no basic infrastructure?” he asked when debating the amendment bill.
The bill, which seeks to streamline governance and strengthen the integrity of the National Water Services Commission (SPAN), was passed in the lower house in October.
Anifah, a former foreign minister, also recalled a “shameful” incident where he invited some Koreans to Labuan to play golf.
“And after the game, they couldn’t take a bath because there was no water. We had to buy bottles of mineral water so they could have a bath.”
As such, he said the debate on the amendment meant little unless natural resources, environment and climate change minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad flew to Labuan himself to experience firsthand the inconvenience the people on the island had to put up with.
“Come to Labuan and see how they suffer. If we only raise the matter in the Dewan Negara but it is not felt by government leaders, then it is of little significance.”
Anifah said he was grateful the prime minister had allocated RM1.1 billion to address water supply problems in Sabah, Labuan and Kelantan, saying it was “light at the end of the tunnel”, but added that implementation was just as important.
“But there are still those who are wondering: ‘Is this for real?'” - FMT

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