KUCHING — The Federal Government has allocated RM796.4 million in loans to state governments this year to finance various water supply projects.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the projects form part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the Southwest Monsoon, which is expected to bring dry weather and potential drought.
Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, said that as of May, 28 projects under this initiative are currently underway.
Of these, 12 are located in Sabah, two in Kedah and Perlis, one in Kelantan, three in Pahang and Terengganu, and five in Sarawak.
“These projects are at various stages of completion. Some are still being implemented, and seven are expected to be completed this year,” he told reporters after attending the Aidiladha qurban (sacrificial ritual) programme in Kampung Tupong Jaya today.
At the same time, Fadillah said his ministry is prioritising efforts to tackle the issue of non-revenue water (NRW), which arises from system inefficiencies, pipe leakages, and water theft.
“When pipe connections are poorly installed, leaks occur. Some pipes are also ageing and beginning to leak. Overall, we estimate that 40 per cent of the country’s treated water is lost — a costly problem,” he said.
“Our immediate priority is to identify ways to reassess the existing piping systems and replace those that are damaged,” he added. — June 8, 2025