Sabah water meter scandal?

Daily Express
3 January 2001


KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Water Department is replacing 100,000 meters and some quarters are alleging that the multi-million ringgit deal reportedly stinks.
It will purportedly cost the department RM250 to install the meter with valve-locks under the deal struck between a contractor and the State Finance Ministry.

It is alleged that the contractor had sub-contracted the work and was only paying RM127 to get each meter installed.

The meters bought by the department at about RM220 each from a supplier were offered without any cost to the contractor.

When approached by reporters for details of the deal Deputy Chief Minister and Infrastructure Development Minister Datuk Bumburing said the state Finance Ministry was responsible for awarding the contract.

He said the role of the Water Department, under the jurisdiction of his Ministry, was to co-ordinate with the contractor to identify areas where new meters were required.

On whether it will cost the department RM250 to install each meter, he said: "I don't know as I don't have the details of the contract.".

Sabah is one of the worst-hit states where water shortages have remained a recurring problem for decades and persisted even after water production was privatised in 1992