Sabah: The Sabah state government is seeking additional soft loan facilities from the federal government to enhance its water supply infrastructure and address the aging sewage system, which has been in place for over five decades.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, emphasized that water supply shortages and a high non-revenue water (NRW) rate are major issues affecting significant areas of the state, including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Tawau. As the Sabah Minister of Works and Utilities, he highlighted the deteriorating condition of the underground pipe structures due to the outdated sewage system.
Joachim, representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, spoke at a reception held by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with Pulau Banggi residents. He underscored the necessity of increasing soft loans to repair and update the water and sewage systems, stating, "That's why one of the things we need is to increase soft loans for water and sewage, because our sewage system is old, over 50 years, so many parts are broken."
The event was also attended by prominent figures such as the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Sabah State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, and Banggi assemblyman Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin.
Joachim expressed gratitude on behalf of the Sabah populace to Prime Minister Anwar, noting that nine demands from the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) have been resolved under his leadership, bringing the total to 13 out of 29 claims settled. He further stressed the importance of resolving Sabah's revenue claims to enhance road infrastructure in rural areas, which could alleviate poverty and boost the state's economy.
He concluded by urging for the expedited resolution of the 40 percent rights demand to facilitate Sabah's development, stating, "We understand there are issues, we are negotiating, but if possible, we want the 40 per cent (rights demand) to be expedited for the development of the state of Sabah."