KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor is confident  the Federal Government’s RM320,250,000.00 aid to Sabah will expedite its short term  plans to solve the state’s water woes. 

The involves the implementation of six programs encompassing 20 projects throughout  the state including nine projects under district plans for Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Putatan,  Papar, Beaufort, Keningau, Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.  

Hajiji accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister III/Works Minister, Datuk Ir Shahelmy  Yahya, State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong briefed Prime Minister  Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Sabah’s plans to address the water supply problem, at his  office in Putrajaya here this morning.  

Welcoming the Prime Minister’s quick decision, Hajiji said the projects are expected to  take six to 12 months to complete.  

Others in Hajiji’s entourage were Finance Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Mohd  Sofian Alfian Nair, Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd  Kassim and Water Department Director, Suhaimi Asbullah. 

The meeting was also attended by Economy Minister, Rafizi Ramli, Natural Resources Environment and Climat Change Minister, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister for Sabah,  Sarawak affairs and Special functions, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, and Chief Secretary to  the Government, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Zuki bin Ali and heads of relevant federal  departments and agencies. 

Hajiji also shared the state government’s long term high impact water supply plans,  including two dam projects in Papar and at Upper Padas, Sipitang to ensure sustained  water supply for the long term.  

On this, the Prime Minister called for the immediate setting up of a task force comprising  state and federal ministries to seek a holistic approach and best way forward. 

At Wednesday’s state Kaamatan closing which he attended, the Prime Minister  disclosed he will chair a high-level meeting today on Sabah’s water supply problem today.

Kelantan’s Menteri Besar, Dato Haji Ahmad Yaakob and his official entourage were also  present at the meeting to brief the Prime Minister on Kelantan’s water supply problem.  

Ends