SANDAKAN: The Sabah government is working to connect drought-stricken Tangkarason to a proper water supply system after weeks of public concern over the village’s reliance on crocodile-infested rivers and muddy ponds.

State Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib said the remote village in Beluran has been given priority under the Rural Water Supply Programme.

“A plan is in place to connect Tangkarason to a main pipe from the Paitan trunk line. Discussions are ongoing with the Water Department, and the district office has been instructed to arrange for temporary supply to the village health clinic,” he said.

Tangkarason is in the Paitan sub-district, a remote and sparsely populated area known for its rugged terrain and scattered settlements.

 It was previously reported that Tangkarason’s 3,000 residents have long struggled without piped water, relying on unsafe rivers and ponds — some inhabited by crocodiles — for their daily needs. During the current dry spell, even these sources have become dangerously scarce, forcing villagers to ration water and risk their safety daily.

James, who is also the Sugut assemblyman, said the water issue is especially urgent for the village’s health clinic, which recently resumed operations in a permanent building after months of operating temporarily from a community hall.

“The clinic is running now, but it still needs basic utilities like piped water. That’s our next step,” he said, adding that the power supply is currently through generators, with longer-term plans involving Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd.

Datuk James Ratib at the Paitan district-level Kaamatan Festival 2025.

He was speaking when met at the launching of the Paitan district-level Kaamatan Festival over the weekend.

Paitan district officer Joe Joloning Majambu, who was also present, said efforts to address the water issue were raised at the district-level disaster management committee and have since been escalated to relevant state agencies.

He added that the proposed water supply extension to Tangkarason had been approved in principle under the 12th Malaysia Plan, with funding pending from the Federal Government.

“If approved, the water supply will benefit not only Tangkarason but also four to five neighbouring villages, including two schools,” he said.

Joe said electricity remains a challenge in the area, but the federal Rural and Regional Development Ministry had approved the rollout of solar hybrid systems in several nearby villages.

As for road access, he confirmed that the current route used by villagers is through a palm oil estate after the original access was taken over.

“The road to Tangkarason has been shortlisted for upgrading by the Public Works Department. We know clean water alone is not enough if we can’t reach these places,” he said.

Winnie Mogak, a small trader in the village, said she has to buy about 20 cartons of bottled water every month just to meet her family’s daily needs.

“The ponds have dried up. Even the rivers turn salty during the drought, so we can’t use them.

“The only way we get water now is from rainwater catchments or wells. That’s all we have,” she said.

She urged the government to expedite the piped water project, saying clean water should no longer be a luxury for the people of Tangkarason.

“We’re tired of waiting. Clean water is not a privilege — it’s our right,” she said.