Sabah Cabinet discusses Tawau water supply disruption amid prolonged dry spell

The water supply disruption in Tawau was raised at the Sabah Cabinet meeting last Wednesday to ensure immediate action is taken to help affected residents. — Picture by Miera Zulyana

First Published: Sunday, 25 Oct 2026 12:48 PM MYT

KOTA KINABALU, Oct 25 — The water supply disruption in Tawau was raised at the Sabah Cabinet meeting last Wednesday to ensure immediate action is taken to help affected residents.

Sabah Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, who raised the matter, said dry weather and a prolonged lack of rain have affected raw water sources, disrupting treatment operations and distribution since last week.

“I raised this problem at the Cabinet meeting because I understand the difficulties faced by affected residents.

“Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has also directed the Sabah Works and Utilities Ministry to have the Tawau Water Department (JANS) take proactive action.

“This includes intensifying water deliveries by tanker lorries to affected areas. Sabah Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam has assured that the issue is being monitored and capacity mobilised to help affected residents,” he said in a statement here today.

Nizam said the Tawau Water Department’s latest data showed that operations at the Utara Water Treatment Plant remain affected due to raw water quality problems from Sungai Tawau.

“Although there has been rain, the rainfall in the catchment area is still insufficient to significantly raise the river level and allow water treatment operations to recover fully.

He said water deliveries will continue according to current operational capacity, with better coordination to ensure affected areas receive due attention.

Nizam said the water supply problem cannot be taken lightly as it involves the people’s basic needs and affects households on a daily basis.

“I will be in touch with the ministry and JANS to get the latest developments on the situation and ensure the needs of affected residents continue to be addressed,” he said. — Bernama