Rep questions implementation of sewerage fees by JKR

10 Jan 2022

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: DAP Tanjong Papat State Assemblyman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung has questioned the need to implement sewerage fees by the Public Works Department (JKR) as the same charge has been implemented by the local authorities.

He said most, if not all, buildings built with the approvals of local authorities would certainly be charged with sewerage fees as can be seen in all House Assessment Bills.

“It is a matter between Sabah Works Ministry and the respective local authorities if the latter has not remitted any of the collected charges to the former.

“Therefore, it is wrong for the Government to charge the same service when local authorities are already charging the same. If that is what JKR intends to do then there is double charging.

“Not only it is wrong, but it is downright offensive and oppressive on the rights of building owners. Besides that, is the services up to mark?” he said in a statement.

Poonn further explained that it is more important for the Ministry to improve the services of this department as such problem, if not attended to with urgency, would pose serious health issues to both occupiers of properties and the public in the vicinity.

It is important that the Ministry prioritises its services before changing Sandakan status as a city, he added.

“There is an Enactment passed by the State Government in 2017 called ‘Sewerage services Enactment 2017 (SSE)’. However, until now this Enactment is not in force.”

According to MPS, it has already handed over all sewerage works, and all charges collected to JPPS and this department is under JKR.

“So, what is the Deputy Chief Minister who is also the Minister of Sabah Works Datuk Seri Bung Moktar talking about charging a fee against residents when the same has been charged and paid to local authorities?

“I hope they do not intend to double charge for these services. So far as I am aware the SSE is not in force yet. Unless and until it is in force, JKR has no power to charge any fee on building owner.

“It is important that the Minister must clarify the issue and start improving on its services so that all building owners will not continue to suffer from sewerage blockage,” he noted.