KUALA LUMPUR: A water leakage incident at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) following a severe storm has renewed scrutiny over the airport’s infrastructure resilience and maintenance standards, especially with Visit Malaysia 2026 on the horizon, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The safety advocate said water seeped into parts of Terminal 1, prompting Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to deploy engineering, operations and safety teams to contain the situation.
Teams prioritised passenger safety, water containment and the protection of electrical systems while working with airline partners to minimise disruptions.
Monitoring has also increased due to ongoing extreme weather.
While acknowledging MAHB’s response, Lee questioned whether it was too late, stressing that more proactive measures should have been in place.
"MAHB should have implemented more frequent and thorough safety audits across all parts of the airport to identify and address potential weaknesses in infrastructure and maintenance," he said.
He added that strict adherence to safety regulations could have prevented recurring issues. KLIA has faced challenges in recent years, including water leaks, aerotrain breakdowns and power outages.
"Such incidents risk harming Malaysia’s image as a tourist destination and may undermine public confidence in KLIA as a reliable international hub. These problems not only erode trust but also affect airline operations and potentially the national economy," Lee said.
He urged MAHB to take comprehensive corrective action ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 to ensure a seamless experience for travellers, emphasising that clear communication and transparency regarding remedial steps would be vital in restoring public confidence.
