KOTA KINABALU: The State Cabinet wants Malaysia Airport Berhad (MAB) to immediately resolve any problems associated with Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), including those that caused the blackout at its runaway for two days last week.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman said the Cabinet also wanted MAB to take proactive steps to ensure such an incident does not recur in the future.
“We in the government are extremely concerned over this most unfortunate incident that resulted in the suffering of some 6,000 passengers. This is not good for the government, not for Sabah and certainly not good for MAB,” he said during a State Cabinet briefing on the KKIA runaway blackout led by MAB chairman Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid and its senior general manager, Dato’ Azmi Murad at Wisma Innoprise here yesterday.
“I understand that the blame cannot be entirely placed on MAB but MAB should also have been more prepared in responding to this type of situations. Update those stranded and don’t leave them in the dark. At the very least provide them with basic drinking water,” he added.
Meanwhile, after the briefing on the cause and response to the incident, Bashir said when the lights failed, KKIA runway had to be shut down for safety reasons.
“MAB followed every procedure in responding to the incident. We, however, do apologise for not being able to respond fast enough,” he said.
Bashir also assured the State Cabinet that MAB would do its level best to rectify problems associated with the runaway and any shortcomings at KKIA immediately.