Ongkili optimistic about solving brownish water problem in Labuan soon

Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili has expressed optimism that the issue of brownish raw water supply to the more than 100,000 consumers on the island could be resolved soon. I have been briefed by Member of Parliament for Labuan Rosman Isli on the matter and certainly the Water Department will do something about it, he told Bernama, here. He said complaints and information related to the issue had been forwarded to him and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor during a recent briefing here. Labuan is an established International Offshore Financial Centre (IOFC) and is developing rapidly as a commercial centre as well as a tourist destination with duty free status. "These (IOFC) together with industrial developments like the already completed PETRONAS Methanol Plant 1 and 2 have resulted in water demand on the island having exceeded supply. "In view of the importance of reliable water supply to the island, the Water Department had in year 2008 commissioned the implementation of the Labuan Phase II Water Supply project and in March 2011, the project was successfully completed and is delivering the required quantity and quality of treated water to Labuan," he said. Ongkili said with the completion of the project, coupled with the Pulau Enoe water plant project launched by the Prime Minister two years ago, water supply on the island would be able to meet demand to beyond 2020. He stressed "the island is having no shortfall of water supply contrary to certain claims and if there is a need for an additional pipeline, the government foresees no hindrance of implementing the project in the interest of the consumers and industry players". Tengku Adnan said he had also been briefed by various concerned parties on the matter and his ministry was liaising with relevant ministries and departments to resolve the issue immediately. Labuan Member of Parliament has given the information, we will not leave the matter unattended and will get to the bottom of it, he said. Meawhile, Labuan Consumers Action Council Fauziah Mohd Din said the quality of water supply in Labuan was below the mark and that Water Department should have resolved the matter long ago. We have raised the issue in various meetings but to no avail, consumers continue to consume brownish water daily, she said.