Tawau once again hit by water shortage problem started early of this year as El Niño phenomenon has taken place. Both water treatment plants in Tawau face the problem of low water level at the plant intake and it has caused water crisis prolonged in Tawau more than two weeks. Tawau water crisis needs immediate action by the government, and state of emergency should be declared for the district if water crisis continues.
I urge the government to look at the Tawau water crisis issue with the sense of emergency and criticality.
For some places, just name a few, Bandar Sri Indah, Mah On San, Tinagat and Kao Sing has experienced no water supply at all since Chinese New Year. What is the action taken by the government to address the problem immediately? Don’t tell us your five-year or ten-year plan to build the dam.
Waterworks of Tawau has issued a statement the day before. They admitted nothing could be done except waiting for God’s will for raining.
We need immediate action. State Cabinet should discuss the matter in their weekly meeting. Water supply is the basic humanity needs. It’s total failure of a government to provide consistent good quality water to consumers. Everybody knows, if not the Cinta Mata Water Dam dragged for 20 years, there should not be a problem. No reason at all for Tawau to suffer with no water.
I suspect our water catchment area which is part of first class virgin forest has been disturbed and destroyed by logging activities. Waterworks, Forestry Department and Environmental Protection Department should answer the question openly if there is nothing to hide.
Tawau Municipal Council should take the water crisis issue seriously. It is emergency state for Rakyat of Tawau. As the president of local council is responsible to coordinate with various departments during state of emergency, he should find all means to address the issue, including demand to the Federal Government to have Artificial Rain.
Towards the end, I suggest to use additional Bomba water tanker to help to distribute water to the consumers.