Mt Ruang eruption: More than 20,000 passengers affected by flight suspensions, says Hajiji

KOTA KINABALU: More than 20,000 passengers were affected by the suspension of most scheduled flights coming in and out of airports in Sabah and Labuan, says Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The Sabah Chief Minister, in disclosing this, said the Sabah government is also monitoring the effects of Indonesia’s Mt Ruang volcanic eruptions closely.

"I have been briefed about the situation and we are keeping tabs. It is important that we prioritise the safety of the people,” he said, in a statement Thursday (April 18).

Meanwhile, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew has called on the parties affected by the suspension of flights, including tourists travelling to or leaving Sabah, to be patient in the wake of the massive Mount Ruang eruption in North Sulawesi province.

"Be patient. The magnitude of the phenomenon was unforeseen and beyond our control. However, the government is monitoring the situation closely," Liew said.