Water is Life: Rainwater Tank Initiative Brings Relief and Hope to Kampung Sigapon

9 July 2025

KENINGAU: In Kampung Sigapon, where clean water is a daily uncertainty, a new rainwater storage tank represents more than just infrastructure, it marks a vital step toward safeguarding a community’s most precious resource.

For years, residents of this hilly village on the border of the Keningau and Tenom districts have struggled with erratic water supply, a challenge made worse by recent landslides that disrupted existing sources. For families here, the absence of clean water affects everything, from hygiene and household chores to farming, livestock, and food security.

Understanding the gravity of this basic need, Liawan State Assemblyman Datuk Annuar Ayub has taken a critical step by initiating the construction of a rainwater storage system, offering both immediate relief and long-term sustainability for the people of Kampung Sigapon.

“Water is a human right, not a privilege. This tank is not just a project, it’s a promise that no one should live in fear of their next drop,” said Annuar during a site visit to the completed installation.

Designed to maximise the collection and storage of rainwater, the tank will distribute water to residents on a scheduled basis during times of shortage. This measure helps build the community’s resilience, ensuring that clean water is accessible even in times of environmental or infrastructural crisis.

The implications for the village are profound. With stable access to water, households can maintain hygiene standards, children can go to school clean and healthy, and farmers can tend their crops and livestock more reliably.

“Without water, everything is affected, our farms, our homes, our health. This tank gives us peace of mind,” shared one local farmer, who, like many others, welcomed the initiative as a long-awaited lifeline.

The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents see Annuar not just as a political leader but as someone who truly listens and acts on their concerns. His proactive, sustainability-focused approach has earned him praise as a leader who values meaningful, people-centred solutions.

This project, viewed by many as a turning point, reinforces the essential role of water security in community development. It also highlights the power of leadership that recognises how deeply water is tied to dignity, opportunity, and wellbeing.

“As leaders, our duty is to protect the essentials of life, starting with clean water. Only then can we talk about true development,” Annuar concluded.

In Kampung Sigapon, the message is clear: water is life, and access to it is the foundation for everything else. Thanks to this initiative, that foundation is finally becoming more secure.