Jetama introduces Seawater Desalination System at CAFEO Conference

23 October 2024

KOTA KINABALU: Jetama Sdn Bhd (JSB), a subsidiary of Sabah Development Berhad (SDB) under the Sabah State Ministry of Finance, continues to lead efforts in addressing water supply issues in Sabah by introducing a seawater desalination system.

This system was showcased at the ASEAN Federation of Engineering Organizations Conference (CAFEO 42) held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) from October 22 to 24, 2024.

The system is capable of desalinating seawater into reverse osmosis (RO) water, which can be used as an industrial water supply. With this innovative approach, treated water that was previously used by industries can now be redirected to residents, thereby helping to alleviate the problem of water shortages for domestic use.

According to JSB's Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Ahmad Naim Uddang, the system is designed to be a modular and portable solution, allowing for quick installation and providing water supply to the rapidly growing industrial parks in Sabah.

He mentioned that the installation period for the system takes only 5 to 6 months, and it can also be equipped with solar power and batteries for areas lacking sufficient electricity supply or relying on diesel generators.

On the first day of the CAFEO conference, the Deputy Chief Minister III/ Minister of Works of Sabah, Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya, personally witnessed a demonstration of the desalination system's functions. He observed the process of filtering and desalinating seawater until it became water that could be directly used as drinking water after undergoing nano-filtration and ultraviolet (UV) light treatment.

Shahelmey praised JSB's initiative, describing it as a significant achievement for the state-owned enterprise (GLC) of Sabah, and expressed hope that this system could be implemented soon to meet the water demand for the industrial sector in the state.