Kota Kinabalu: Water supply disruptions can affect visitors’ experience and the development of Sabah’s tourism industry, said Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
Chan, who is also Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister, said although tourism was outside his portfolio, the industry relied heavily on the performance of other government sectors.
“If tourists come here and complain about always facing water disruptions, then that is an issue involving the Sabah Water Department,” he said.
He said availability and quality of food and beverage were equally important components of the visitor experience.
He also highlighted the importance of air connectivity, with Sabah recording 701 flights offering 108,086 seats in June this year, according to Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.
Meanwhile, Likas Assemblyman Tham Yun Fook said persistent water supply disruptions are hitting Kota Kinabalu’s commercial heart hard, triggering booking cancellations and financial losses for hoteliers and business operators.
It is also threatening to derail Sabah’s tourism rebound, he warned.
“Premises across Segama, Kampung Air, Wisma Merdeka and Suria Sabah were plagued by prolonged water cuts, prompting urgent complaints from operators and the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Sabah & Labuan.
“The crisis comes as visitor numbers are on the rise, making reliable supply critical to safeguarding the State’s economic recovery.”Tham called on Deputy Chief Minister I and Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam to lead an on-site inspection alongside Water Department officials to find both immediate relief and lasting solutions.
