Extra funds needed for Telibong II project, says DPM Fadillah

KOTA KINABALU: More funds are needed to complete the Telibong II water capacity enhancement project, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the project, which is aimed at upgrading the Telibong II water treatment plant’s capability to supply water up to 160 million litres per day (MLD) from an initial 80 MLD, involved the installation of the main pipe and tanks.

He said officials from the Energy Transition and Public Utilities Ministry, which he heads, and the Works Ministry as well as the Public Works Department and Sabah Water Department have been given two weeks to come up with an estimate for the extra allocation.

He said he had instructed the relevant parties to discuss the matter so they could resolve the issues for the plant which is located in Tamparuli, some 40km north of the Sabah capital.

“When they come to a resolution including the estimate, we (will then) go back to the Federal Government as this allocation is through a loan,” Fadillah told reporters after a visit to the plant on Saturday (Jan 20).

“So, we have to discuss how to find extra funds (because) the challenge will be the allocation is by way of a loan to the state government.

“There is a provision for a loan but it is quite limited so, this will (also) be a challenge,” he added.

He said the Prime Minister had entrusted him to resolve the matter because the plant was not only critical for industries and local residents but also for the water supply to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).

Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya had in a Facebook post said phase two of the Telibong II water treatment plant was completed last December although the falling main pipe will be completed this month.

The plant supplies water to areas north of Kota Kinabalu, the city centre as well as the Tuaran district and its surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, when asked what was hindering the project, Fadillah said it was the coordination between the agencies overlooking the Pan Borneo Highway and the Telibong II enhancement projects.

“That’s why we’re giving them two weeks to find a solution.

“Some issues have been resolved in terms of right of way. The JKR has given the water department way leave so, that has been resolved.

“But now is to find a way for the continuation of the project,” he said.

Fadillah also visited the Gudon/Telipok main distribution substation project near here and the Moyog Integrated River Basin Development project in Penampang near here.