Watery office: Two photos showing water gushing down a stairwell and a flooded floor at the Kinabalu Tower.
KOTA KINABALU: An investigation will be launched to determine whether negligence was a factor in the water leak that flooded several floors of the Sabah State Administrative Centre, which houses the Chief Minister’s Office.
The Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) said it would carry out the investigation following Wednesday’s incident, where approximately 34,000 litres of water – equivalent to the capacity of a lorry tanker – inundated the building also known as Kinabalu Tower within just 45 minutes.
The leak affected about 2,588sq m of office space across the 7th to 11th floors, as well as several lift shafts and stairwells.
No injuries were reported.
JKR Sabah director Datuk Philemon Lajawai attributed the cause to a faulty float valve in the wet riser tank of the fire prevention system located on the 11th floor of Block A.
“The faulty valve caused the pump system to automatically and continuously fill the tank, which led to water overflowing into the building.
“Delays in shutting off the pump by the facility management company worsened the situation,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Philemon added that one staff lift was deemed safe to use by 6pm the same day, while the cargo lift remained operational throughout.
Clean-up efforts were completed by 11.30pm on Wednesday.
“JKR will carry out a detailed investigation to confirm there was no element of negligence and to ensure such an incident does not recur,” he said.
All affected government departments in Block A have resumed operations.
The incident drew widespread attention after videos showing water gushing down the stairwell and lift shafts went viral.
However, some posts falsely claimed that a water tank had burst on the 33rd floor and that staff in the Chief Minister’s Office were trapped.
Unlock 30% Savings on Ad-Free Access Now!
