KOTA KINABALU – Sabah opposition party, Warisan, has slammed the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government for attributing blame to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) students who held a peaceful demonstration seeking a solution to the state’s ongoing water supply issues.
Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said that the Sabah government should hold itself accountable for the persistent water crisis rather than blaming the students.
“If there is anyone to blame, it is the GRS government, which has had four years in government and done nothing to resolve it. Don’t just blame the students for venting their frustrations. They suffered without a proper water supply for years.
“Don’t blame the students, people, or the opposition for your failure to resolve Sabah’s water problems,” he said in a statement today.
His comments came after a peaceful demonstration by UMS students, non-governmental organisations, and local community groups at the Chief Minister’s Office yesterday.
Shafie pointed out the inconsistency in water supply, noting that major industries and businesses receive a stable supply, while UMS students and residential consumers face constant disruptions, with many villages in Sabah still lacking treated water.
“Why can’t the state send in sufficient water in tankers to the UMS campus and to others who need it?” he questioned, adding that it is the responsibility of the state government to focus on solving the problem instead of looking for scapegoats for their failures.
Shafie also called for a revamp of the Sabah Water Department, citing its failure to serve the people of Sabah effectively. He urged the state to genuinely address the issue and avoid protecting the interests of individuals or groups controlling the utility company.
In related news, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud urged UMS to file a police report against allegations that it misused a RM5 million allocation intended to address the water supply issue on its campus.
He expressed concern that UMS students might be misled and used by certain political parties for their agendas.
“UMS should file a police report as these are serious allegations against UMS management, and this affects their credibility. It’s time for us to take action.
“We do not want the RM5 million issue to become a political tool for any party or be misunderstood by these students, leading to false accusations against the state government,” Mustapha told the press after attending the Madani Belia programme here today.
Mustapha added that his ministry is prepared to take action against any party making slanderous statements about the RM5 million fund. He also welcomed all parties to report the matter to the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission for further scrutiny. – June 15, 2024