KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) will receive an additional RM2mil to undertake short-term projects to alleviate the water supply problem on its campus here.

This was on top of a RM3mil allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to fund the internal water resource supply innovation projects in UMS last May.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir announced the extra funding after being received by a group of UMS students armed with placards expressing their frustration over the water woes they had to face at the campus on Monday (Jan 8).

The students, who had waited for over an hour for Zambry to arrive at 11am for a working visit to UMS, even had a song ready for the Minister.

“Selamat datang, selamat datang YB Menteri, kami tak mandi, sorry YB (welcome minister, we have not showered, sorry minister,” they sang, as Zambry stepped down from the bus carrying him and his entourage.

Some of the placards read “we love our university, but do you love us?”, while another stated “return our rights”.

Zambry took the time to check out the placards in the peaceful mini rally and later spoke to the students, assuring the government was doing its best to remedy the issue.

Also present was his deputy Mustapha Sakmud and UMS vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.

During a dialogue with Anwar last year, UMS students conveyed to the Prime Minister their predicament of having to carry out their daily routine including studying without consistent water supply.

Speaking to the media later, Zambry said his visit to UMS was to listen to a briefing on the development as well as the problems faced by students, particularly the water issue, at the campus.

He said he approved RM1mil for works to improve the water pressure so that water could reach student residences located at higher elevation and another RM1mil for works on the tube well system.

“These are the short-term solutions. For the long term, we have been briefed that the Sabah government also plans to build a large reservoir pond but it will take some time,” he said.

Asked when the UMS water supply problem will be resolved with the overall RM5mil funding, Zambry said he preferred not to give a timeline but stressed to UMS that it should not stretch too long.

“If there is any issue caused by red tape, inform my side. Don’t let bureaucracy and red tape become the main obstacle in resolving this problem,” he said.

On a question on whether the initial RM3mil had been utilised, he said, the money was being used to fund ongoing works presently.

He added the UMS management could also communicate this matter to the student body so that they will be aware of the progress.

Lorries from the Water Department have been sending water to the UMS campus here but it was insufficient for the residents, it was learned.