PETRA Squad Inspects Five Key Sites To Address Water, Energy Issues In Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, July 14 (Bernama) -- Water supply issues affecting students at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) have drawn the attention of the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), with the university becoming the first location visited under the PETRA Squad’s initiative to assess water and energy challenges in Sabah today.

The on-ground assessment, aimed at gathering direct feedback, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister. He was accompanied by his deputy, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and PETRA secretary-general, Datuk Mad Zaidi Mohd Karli, with the visit taking place from 11 am to 5 pm today.

In addition to UMS, the survey covered four other key locations: the Sungai Damai Basin 8 Flood Mitigation Plan (RTB) in Likas; the Kota Kinabalu Main Inlet Substation in Tanjung Aru; Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to review a rooftop solar installation; and the Putatan Phase I Sewerage Scheme project in Putatan.

At UMS, Fadillah said that the federal government is committed to assisting the university in addressing frequent water disruptions, through a short-term intervention plan valued at RM1 million. The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Sabah Water Department, PETRA and UMS.

The plan is expected to benefit more than 3,000 students, particularly those residing at the Tun Mustapha and Tun Fuad Residential Colleges, which are among the most affected by water supply interruptions.

“This will involve the construction of a dedicated distribution channel to connect to UMS’ existing groundwater source, the addition of an underground water tank with a capacity of 0.13 million litres, and the installation of automated valve controls,” he said.

Also present during the UMS visit were Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and UMS vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.

At the Sungai Damai Basin 8 RTB, Fadillah said that RM48 million in development funding has been allocated for the flood mitigation project, which commenced in September 2023 and has reached 54 per cent physical completion.

The project includes upgrading the drainage system, constructing pump houses, road culverts, and flood control gates. Upon completion, expected in July 2026, it is projected to protect around 17,500 residents from flood risks.

The visit continued at the Kota Kinabalu Main Inlet Substation, with the handover of seven energy sector projects in Sabah and Labuan. These projects, implemented by the Sabah Electricity Supply Special Project Team (SESST), involve a total allocation of over RM260 million.

A total of 60,434 consumers in Sabah and Labuan will benefit from improved electricity services through infrastructure upgrades, including substation enhancements, new grid connections, and safety systems in Sipitang, Beaufort, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Ranau and Sandakan, as well as Labuan.

Meanwhile, at KKIA, a rooftop solar installation, under the Solar for Self-Consumption initiative, comprises 8,400 photovoltaic panels across three buildings. Now regulated by the Sabah Energy Commission, the system is expected to generate 5,325.7 MWh of clean energy annually and reduce carbon emissions by 4,046 metric tonnes, in line with Malaysia’s target of a 70 per cent renewable energy mix and broader ESG commitments.

Fadillah and the PETRA Squad concluded their inspection with a visit to the Putatan Sewerage Scheme Phase I project. The RM134 million initiative, which began in December 2020, has reached 69.85 per cent completion, and is expected to be fully completed by March 2026.

The project aims to improve the sewerage infrastructure in the Putatan catchment area, offering significant benefits for public health, environmental sustainability, and the overall development of essential infrastructure in the district.

-- BERNAMA