PAPAR: Prolonged water supply problems in Papar, including Kinarut and surrounding areas, have been attributed to the failure to proceed with the Kogopon Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant (WTP) since 2019, affecting thousands of residents.
Chief Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Azrul Ibrahim, said the project should have been implemented earlier but was not pursued by the state administration and local representatives at the time, resulting in ongoing supply issues.
“Kogopon Phase 2 was meant to be carried out in 2019, but it was not continued. Today, some claim to be champions of the people, yet had the project gone ahead then, water supply would be far more stable now,” he said during a media briefing with residents in Kinarut on Sunday.
Also present were Kawang assemblyman Datuk Seri Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar and residents’ representative Herbert Lye.
Azrul noted that the current Papar MP, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, managed to initiate construction of the long-delayed project within a year, with completion targeted for August 2026.
“While awaiting completion, the Sabah Water Department (JANS) must take practical steps to ensure residents are not continually affected,” he said, stressing the need for stronger coordination and communication to improve water distribution.
𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆:
JANS Papar engineer Afiq Abqari Nain said the Kogopon WTP is already operating at full capacity of 40 million litres per day, which remains insufficient during peak demand periods such as festive seasons and school holidays.
“When river turbidity exceeds safe levels, production must be reduced to protect water quality, further limiting supply,” he explained.
He added that high-density housing areas, elevated terrain, and pressure limitations contribute to uneven distribution, with lower areas receiving water earlier than higher locations.
Temporary rationing measures are being implemented, and water tankers will be deployed in coordination with parliamentary and state offices while the project remains under construction.
𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
Residents’ representative Herbert Lye said the community wants transparent explanations, a defined recovery schedule, and a sustainable long-term plan to prevent the crisis from recurring.
“With schools reopening soon, we need clarity and assurance that this problem will not continue indefinitely,” he said.
–Ends
