KOTA KINABALU, Oct 25 ― The storm surrounding the scandal-riddled Sabah Water Department (SWD) shows no sign of abating despite the arrests of some 28 people, including two officials who were recently suspended from heading the state agency.

In the latest, Likas assemblyman Junz Wong urged the Sabah government today to confirm the authenticity of a RM480 million contract  between the SWD and a private company 20 years ago that recently made its rounds on social media platforms here.

Wong said he had received an alleged copy of a contract between the Sabah Water Department representing the Sabah State Government and one company known as Yuda Water S/B to operate, maintain and manage river intakes and water treatment plants at Tuaran, Sipitang and Beaufort for a monthly lump sum fee of RM1,956,364.58.

"This translates into a staggering yearly sum of approximately RM24 million for one contract for 20 years. Our technical advisors have confirmed this is an overly inflated price. The question is how did the state justify this?” the Parti Warisan Sabah vice president said.

Wong said the people should be informed contracts between the State Government and private companies for the over 70 out of 83 water treatment plants in the state.

"My sources tells me, that most of the treatment plants have been either fully or partially privatised for periods of up to 20 years more or less,” he said, while asking the state to explain why the facilities, built under the National Key Result Areas and Government Transformation Program, should be privatised.

"Not only does the public have the right to know every detail on how their taxes are spent and their assets are managed but department should explain why this is a fair deal for Sabahans.  Moreover, everyone wants to know how qualified Yuda Water is, and also who the real owners are,” he said.

The Sabah Water Department has come under scrutiny following the graft investigation into RM3.3 billion worth of federal government projects and the arrests of its director and deputy director, the latter’s businessman brother,  an accountant, the former deputy director, and at least 23 of its engineers.

Wong said that State Infrastructure Development minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan had to answer whether the allegations were possible and how it could happen under his ministry.

"He has to come clean on whether he was aware of such existence of a contract and whether one or several contracts had actually been awarded to Yuda Water. He is one of Sabah’s most senior minister and statesmen, the people pay his salary through taxes and he cannot forever claim that he is not aware of what is happening in his own ministry,” he said.

"My sources also revealed that Yuda Water was awarded a similar contract in Kogopon in Papar,” he said in reiterating the need for the government to clear up the allegations.

Wong said that he would organise a water tariff review signatory campaign if the government could not clear up the matter satisfactorily.