KOTA KINABALU: The state government is investigating why the water supply to the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) totally dried out during a scheduled maintenance for a water reservoir tank.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmy Yahya said that the supply was restored at 2pm on Friday (May 12) but they wanted to know the reason why the water supply was totally disrupted at the airport during a scheduled maintenance.
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"Why has it happened with such serious consequences? We are investigating the matter as the cleaning of the water tank was a scheduled maintenance work," he said when contacted on Saturday (May 13).
He said the private water producer Jetama Sdn Bhd was carrying out scheduled cleaning at the R4C water tank which supplies water to the airport.
"The airport was affected. Now the supply is back to normal," he added.
On Friday, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd posted on its official Facebook page, advising all airlines to fill up their aircraft at the point of origin before departing to BKI (Kota Kinabalu).
Food and beverage outlets at KKIA were also requested to provide disposable ware for their food products.
"We will also be closing a few toilets temporarily, while we source to purchase mineral water in bulk to be placed at the toilets that remain open for passenger usage.
"We apologise for the unfortunate incident and will continue to provide updates from Sabah Water Department regarding the situation," the statement added.
Kota Kinabalu and its greater areas in the west coast of Sabah has been hit by drying taps and low water pressure for nearly a year.
Among the reasons blamed for the situation were water thefts.
