KOTA KINABALU: The water crisis at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) campus here has forced students to take different approaches in terms of hygiene including opting to go without showers for days since last year.
UMS Student Representative Council (MPP) caretaker Mohd Dhan Dhan Farsaudi said there are about 6,000 to 7,000 students staying at the residential colleges.
Supply from the State Water Department or through delivery via tankers were not enough for those residents.
As a result, he said students residing in approximately 20 residential blocks across three campus dormitories had to take matters into their own hands to meet their needs.
"Out of all the residential blocks, only a few have water at any given time, so students living on campus need to fetch water from one block to another.
"Even if there is water, it is only on the ground floor as it cannot reach every residential floor. In addition, students also have to search for water all the way to the faculty buildings," he told BH.
Yesterday, UMS students welcomed the visit of the Minister of Higher Education, Senator Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, with a demonstration highlighting their water-related challenges on campus.
Mohd Dhan Dhan added students whose families live nearby would return home, but for those far from their families, they had to endure this situation.
For laundry purposes, students have to carry their clothes outside the campus to find a laundromat in the city or nearby shops.
"This situation is indeed challenging for students, and we sincerely hope it can be resolved soon for the students' comfort," he said.
Mohd Dhan Dhan added that UMS management has taken steps to help address the water problem faced by students, including ensuring a more extensive supply to the residential colleges.
He said that the current water supply at the UMS campus relies on the Sabah Water Department pipeline source.
On May 31 of last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced a RM3 million allocation to UMS to resolve the issue.
Anwar made the announcement during the Meeting Anwar Program at the UMS Chancellor Hall when the water problem faced by UMS students was raised by MPP UMS President, Jeeva Casanddra Abdul Mumin.
It is understood that UMS has utilised the allocation to the best of its ability to implement several initiatives related to water supply management at the university.
The water problem at UMS and its surrounding area stems from a shortage of supply from the Telibong Water Treatment Plant in Tuaran due to increased demand compared to supply.