Nine Water Supply Projects Worth RM133 Mln Completed In Labuan - Hannah Yeoh

LABUAN, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The federal government has allocated nearly RM640 million under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for 19 water supply projects in Labuan, with nine projects worth about RM133 million completed and handed over in January this year.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the projects were crucial to improving water supply reliability on the island, where nearly 90 per cent of treated water comes from the Lawa Gadong Water Treatment Plant in Sabah.

She said water disruptions at the plant had a direct impact on Labuan residents, affecting household needs and business operations, and stressed that the allocations must translate into a more reliable supply.

Yeoh said this when officiating the Program MADANI Kita (PMK) Bersama Komuniti Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan 2026 at Dewan Arena Kampung Bukit Kuda here today, during her one-day working visit.

Meanwhile, she announced an allocation of RM300,000 to construct a permanent Senior Citizens' Activity Centre (PAWE) in Labuan to replace its current rented premises.

She called on the Social Welfare Department, Labuan Corporation and Neighbourhood Watch (Rukun Tetangga) committees to strengthen cooperation in encouraging senior citizens to participate in community activities, particularly those living alone or facing difficulties leaving their homes.

Yeoh said community outreach and home visitation programmes were equally important to ensure vulnerable elderly residents remained connected to appropriate welfare services.

She also said Labuan Corporation had introduced a 50 per cent rental reduction this year for eligible small traders operating at the Central Market and several other business premises to ease their operating costs.

On education, Yeoh said school transportation assistance had been introduced for 437 pupils from six schools following concerns raised during her previous visit in August. She said the initiative involved cooperation between the Education Department, Labuan Corporation, schools, parents and local bus operators, adding that its effectiveness should be measured by improvements in school attendance.

On Labuan Geopark, she said the government was awaiting the outcome of its reassessment to retain its National Geopark status, first awarded in 2021, while expressing hope that the island could eventually achieve UNESCO Global Geopark recognition.

She also highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness, citing a disaster risk management exercise conducted in April by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), Labuan Corporation and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), which included tsunami and earthquake simulations.

Yeoh reminded government departments and agencies that public service delivery must go beyond announcing allocations and implementing programmes, stressing the need to address residents' complaints and ensure proper follow-up action.

She said the PMK programme, which brought together various government agencies under one roof, aimed to make public services and assistance more accessible, while emphasising the role of community organisations, including Rukun Tetangga committees and non-governmental organisations, in identifying vulnerable families and strengthening grassroots support.

-- BERNAMA