PM Anwar allocates RM3m to solve Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s water woes
KOTA KINABALU, May 31 — Faced with another complaint of water problems in Sabah, this time from students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced an impromptu RM3 million allocation to the university.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said students should concentrate on their studies and not be burdened with concerns about basic necessities.
“I do not want students to be worried about this. The country may be facing difficulties but what I am saying today is based on my conscience... I don’t want our children to face such difficulties,” he said during an engagement session with university students and youth here today.
He announced the RM3 million from estimations given for underwater drilling, treatment, and other costs.
Anwar was fielding a question from a UMS student council leader who talked about the school’s challenges with water which began around October last year.
He said that the funds will be available within the next few days, and asked UMS Vice-Chancellor Datuk Taufiq Yap to prepare the paperwork to apply for the funds.
He also said he would ask the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to explain the outcome of the 2016 “Watergate” scandal which saw some RM114 million confiscated from senior officials of the department.
“I will direct the question to the MACC. I cannot speak for them, but as prime minister, I can only advise them,” he said.
The question was asked about the seizure and the outcome of the case which was a record for the anti-graft body at the time.
The “Meet Anwar” session lasted just over an hour with some 12 questions being asked.
To a question about expensive flights between the peninsula and east Malaysia, Anwar said that the Transport Ministry was proposing chartering flights so that they can impose a minimal ceiling fare for students.
“It is hard for us to ask airlines to keep their prices low, but we can try suggestions for festive seasons like we did for this Kaamatan and Gawai,” he said.
He was also asked about paid study leave for civil servants, government incentives for graduates with disabilities seeking employment, job prospects and placements for graduate students, and government plans for increasing public universities.
He said that the government would consider quotas for study leave and those with disabilities and advised students to focus on their studies for the time being to get good grades and increase their critical thinking skills.
“Sometimes, it is hard being prime minister. You get asked for money, to fix furniture and job placements. It is not easy to accommodate everyone,” Anwar said to laughter from the crowd.
