KOTA KINABALU, Aug 17 — Residents of Kingfisher Putatan Condominium (KFP) are refusing to pay the more than RM120,000 bill for water delivered by privately-operated tankers when they endured 55 days without supply between April and May.
Some said they had no choice but to purchase bottled water for drinking, washing, cooking, cleaning and other daily needs. They said the extra expenses should not have been necessary if the State Water Department (JANS) had fulfilled its responsibility.
Despite being located just south of Kota Kinabalu, Putatan has faced repeated water shortages since 2018. During the disruption, the condominium’s developer and management, Hap Seng Land Development and JCA Sdn Bhd, were compelled to procure water from private tankers.
However, residents later discovered that the water delivered was treated water originating from JANS itself; the same supply that had failed to reach them through the normal distribution network.
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This emergency procurement drove costs up significantly, with residents charged RM7.50 per cubic metre after deducting the standard tariff of RM1.30 per cubic metre.
Many residents have refused to settle the outstanding bill, arguing they should not bear the financial burden of failures in the public water distribution system.
“The water we paid for was not from an alternative utility. It was JANS-treated water, only transported at higher logistical costs,” one resident said, questioning why consumers should be penalised for systemic shortcomings.
The crisis has left residents frustrated, with repeated interruptions continuing to affect sanitation, hygiene, cooking and daily living. The situation raised concerns that prolonged disruptions could escalate into a public health issue if not urgently addressed.
They are calling for accountability from the authorities, stressing that the government, as the primary duty-bearer, must ensure reliable access to clean water and sanitation.
After all, the government is legally and ethically responsible for ensuring clean water and sanitation infrastructure, although accountability is shared across multiple levels, including state agencies, utility operators, and regulatory bodies.
They are calling on the authorities to take concrete action to avoid legal intervention. Such a basic need and right for citizens, they argue, has been neglected. — Daily Express
