KOTA KINABALU, April — Member of the Sabah State Assembly (ADUN) N.17 Darau, Azhar Datuk Haji Matussin, raised several critical issues regarding the welfare of the people in his debate speech during the opening of the First Meeting of the Second Session of the 17th Sabah State Assembly.
In his speech, he emphasized the ongoing water supply crisis in the Kampung Likas and Kingfisher areas, which he described as a serious failure of governance and infrastructure.
“Water is not a luxury. Water is a human right,” he asserted while depicting the suffering of residents who have to carry water, unable to bathe before work, and elderly individuals who cannot maintain personal hygiene due to continuous supply disruptions.
He questioned the real cause of the problem, whether it stemmed from outdated treatment plants, leaking pipes, or planning failures that do not align with the rapid population growth in Kota Kinabalu.
Additionally, he urged immediate action including the provision of water tankers, an early notification system for residents, and a clear long-term plan with dates, budgets, and concrete implementation.
In his urgency, he also proposed that a full report on the status of water infrastructure be released within 30 days, emergency allocations be approved, and the establishment of the Sabah Water Management Commission to enhance water supply efficiency.
River Likas Flood Mitigation Project: Do Not Neglect Affected Residents
On a separate issue, he also touched on the implementation of the River Likas Flood Mitigation Project which, according to him, provides long-term benefits but causes suffering to the affected residents.
He shared the experience of hearing firsthand the complaints of an elderly person who lost their home due to the demolition of houses.
“Development for whom?” he questioned, emphasizing that long-term benefits cannot be built on the suffering of the people without proper solutions.
He questioned whether transparent negotiations had been conducted, whether the compensation offered was fair, and whether alternative housing was available before the demolitions were carried out.
Among the proposals put forward were to suspend all demolitions until the compensation mechanism is finalized, the establishment of a special committee for public consultation, and a written guarantee for housing provision for each affected family.
Appreciation for Land Issues in Likas Fisherman Village
In another development, he expressed appreciation for the awarding of two acres of land in Kampung Likas as compensation to six families.
According to him, this matter is not just an administrative decision, but an action that reflects concern for the people.
However, he stressed the need to ensure that the six families named in the letter dated January 13, 2026, are not left out in the distribution process.
Drainage Crisis and Local Infrastructure Issues
He also raised the issue of the drainage system in Kampung Dambai, which he described as outdated and no longer capable of accommodating water flow due to rapid development.
According to him, the loss of natural retention areas and the lack of coordination between development approvals and infrastructure capacity are the main causes of the problem.
In addition, several local issues were also highlighted, including:
- Flooding in Kg. Warisan, Kg. Darau, and Kg. Bangka
- Traffic congestion and parking problems in Taman Puri Warisan
- Damaged roads and non-functioning street lights in Taman Kingfisher
- The need for signage and road safety measures
Education Issues: Students Forced to Cross the Sea
In the education sector, he revealed the situation of students from Kg. Kebagu and Numbak who have to cross to the island to attend school at SK Pulau Sepanggar.
According to him, this situation becomes more difficult if a two-session system is implemented because students will return late in the afternoon and risk not being able to return if the weather is bad.
Call to Prioritize the People
Concluding his speech, he reminded that leadership should be based on the basic needs of the people.
“The people want solutions,” he asserted, emphasizing that development means nothing without the welfare of the affected people.
