PM Anwar demands updates for funds given to solve Sabah university’s water woes

Muhammad Yusry

8 January 2024 at 9:32 pm·2-min read

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said he wanted clarifications for why Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) was still experiencing water supply issues after he allocated RM3 million last year to address the problem.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, instructed relevant departments to obtain reports from the university and the Ministry of Higher Education.

“I read on social media that the minister of higher education was welcomed by students at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, because they have not showered, there is no water.

“Last year when I visited there, I approved RM3 million. I'm not sure, maybe the implementation takes time, but I want to get a report, maybe from secretary-general, maybe the Pantau Madani unit can also help to ask what happened since my approval, and actions taken by the ministry and the university to implement,” he said in his speech during the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly, here.

Anwar said such problems should be overcome as quickly as possible.

“For some people, this is a small problem, but if the student is facing a water problem, it should worry us. Such things need to be overcome.

“I don't want to punish, like some preachers, I just want to ask for a thorough report, what happened since the finance minister approved the immediate allocation to overcome the water problem at the university,” he said.

Yesterday, media outlets reported that Minister Of Higher Education Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir was greeted by upset UMS students holding placards saying “Kami belum mandi (We have not showered)” during his visit there.

The New Strait Times reported that while state water department tankers were deployed to the campus, these were not enough to supply all residents.

On the same day, the ministry also announced an additional allocation of RM2 million to the university to overcome the water supply issue.

In May last year, Anwar announced an impromptu RM3 million allocation to the university for the same reason.

The Daily Beast
Conservatives Routed in Worst Election Result for 200 Years
LONDON—The Conservatives, the world’s winningest political party, were booted out of power in dramatic style on Thursday after 14 years of chaotic and divisive rule.The Labour Party had secured a landslide victory, ending an era of Conservative rule over Britain that stretches back to 2010; the year that the iPad and Instagram were launched and Lady Gaga wore that meat dress to the MTV music awards.In that time, the Conservatives have cycled through five leaders, each of them dragging the party
The Telegraph
Horrifying moment husband wheels suitcase containing murdered wife from home while carrying child
A husband who strangled his wife in front of her two children and lover on a video call was captured wheeling the suitcase containing her body out of his home.
The Telegraph
The world must prepare for President Michelle Obama
The 2024 US Presidential race intensifies. Speculation abounds over potential replacements for President Joe Biden amid increasing pressure from his party and the media to step aside after a jaw-dropping, catastrophic debate against Donald Trump last week. Among the names circulating, a game-changer is emerging: Michelle Obama. Could this be America’s worst nightmare?
Malay Mail
When Ms ‘Malaysia’ visits Malaysia: American tourist gets warm welcome from locals awed by unique name (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 — An American tourist decided to visit Malaysia for a special reason: Malaysia also happens to be h...
The Independent
Embattled Biden makes latest gaffe saying he’s the ‘first Black woman to serve with a Black president’
President’s July 4 blunder comes as he desperately tries to claw back confidence among voters and party members after last week’s debate flop
Cinema Online
Joyce Chen confirms she has become a mother
The TVB actress shares photos of her and her daughter, not revealing partner's identity
Malay Mail
As AG stays silent, Rosmah presses on with bid to strike out money laundering and tax evasion charges
KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor's money laundering and tax evasion trial proceeded today despite the lac...
Malay Mail
Putrajaya submits diplomatic protest note to UN rejecting Manila’s bid to reclaim Sabah after Paris court rule
Malaysia submits diplomatic note to UN Secretary-General António Guterres rejecting the Philippines’ claim to Sabah r...
Futurism
The Head of NASA Is Being Awfully Catty About China's Amazing New Moon Samples
China recently became the first country to ever return samples taken from the far side of the Moon, a historic mission that could have profound implications on our understanding of its evolution and ability to host human life. But thanks to a law called the Wolf Amendment, which was enacted by the US government in […]
CNN
Opinion: What Britain’s first Asian prime minister meant to my family
The defeat of the Conservative Party in the UK election ends Rishi Sunak’s two-year premiership. Does it also sour the story of Britain’s first Asian prime minister, asks Sunder Katwala.
The Telegraph
Beijing is laughing at the West’s weakness
Russian aggression in Ukraine poses a threat to world peace and stability. China provides material support for Russia’s actions. All this is entirely clear. In Beijing, immediately after a meeting with Xi Jinping in April this year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that “Russia would struggle to sustain its assault on Ukraine without China’s support”. This included selling huge quantities of machine tools and micro-electronics that would be used in the Russian defence industry.
The Independent
Voices: Tory downfall: The 9 reasons it has all gone wrong for Rishi Sunak
A series of world events, poor decisions and fatal gaffes conspired to see Rishi Sunak lead the Tories to the worst electoral defeat in his party’s 346-year history
INSIDER
How Obama mentored the new UK prime minister to help him tell his story
The leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, has been mentored by Barack Obama. The relationship is likely to continue if Starmer wins the UK election.
Evening Standard
Victoria Starmer: Britain's 'reluctant' new first lady
Sir Keir Starmer’s wife of 17 years has been largely absent from the campaign trial and isn’t at all keen on moving into No10. From her political roots to their unlikely meeting, Katie Strick charts the life of the PM’s fiercely private other half
Bloomberg
These flight routes suffer the world’s worst turbulence
A series of incidents that left scores of airline passengers needing medical attention has shone a spotlight on the problem of severe in-flight turbulence.
Storyful
Canadian Police Seek Suspects in Pants-on-Fire Arson
One of two suspects in an arson in Richmond, British Columbia, set himself on fire and “despite efforts of both the suspects, [his] pants continued to burn,” according to Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).The RCMP released footage of the incident, which they said occurred in the early hours of April 24.“At approximately 4:30 am Richmond RCMP attended for an alarm at a business located in the 2600 block of Simpson Road,” police said.“Frontline officers located a broken window and small fire directly in front of it. Evidence was also located which indicated the fire had been intentionally set.“A subsequent review of video surveillance from the area determined that two unidentified men wearing masks had approached the business on foot prior to allegedly smashing the window and then lighting an object on fire. While lighting it, one of the suspect
The Telegraph
Zelensky U-turns as he invites Russia to attend peace summit without giving up land
Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Russia to the next peace summit despite previously saying it could only join if it relinquished land in Ukraine.
HuffPost
Van Jones Reveals ‘Behind The Scenes’ Moves That Could End Biden Campaign
The CNN commentator detailed the “big conversation” taking place right now among Democratic insiders.
People
Michelle and Barack Obama Celebrate Daughter Malia's Birthday with Sweet Throwback Photos: 'Still Willing to Hold Your Dad’s Hand'
"You deserve the world and more," Michelle wrote to her daughter on Instagram
The Telegraph
‘I’ve lost my job and my house, but my wife and I are worth £650m – how can we pay less tax?’
Rishi Sunak, 44, finds himself in a bind. After a highly successful career in the City of London, followed by a brief but eventful spell in politics, he has suffered a serious demotion and been evicted from his home.

Latest stories