Luyang State Assemblyman Samuel Wong has raised concerns over the RM11.8 million allocated for the refurbishment of 26 toilet sets at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), calling on the relevant authorities to provide full transparency on the project’s cost structure.
While welcoming efforts to improve facilities at Sabah’s main international airport, Wong said the scale of expenditure has prompted legitimate public concern, particularly in terms of whether the project reflects prudent financial management and value for money in the use of public resources.
“Improving airport facilities is necessary, but when public funds amounting to RM11.8 million are involved, the public has the right to know how the money is being spent,” he said in a statement today.
Based on the figures announced, Wong noted that the average cost per toilet set appears unusually high, warranting a clear explanation from the implementing agency.
He stressed that transparency should not stop at announcing the total project value, but must include the disclosure of the Bill of Quantities (BOQ) for the refurbishment works.
“The BOQ is a key construction document that itemises every component of a project including materials, labour, scope of work and measurements. It ensures contractors are pricing the same scope of work and allows fair comparison during the tender process,” he explained.
Referring to the figures announced, Wong said the implied cost per toilet set appears disproportionately high, raising legitimate questions about the scope of work and overall value for money. He stressed that such expenditure must be supported by clear justification and transparent breakdowns from the implementing agency, particularly to assure the public that the project costs are reasonable, necessary, and aligned with proper financial governance.
He added that toilet cleanliness and maintenance at KKIA have been longstanding issues raised by both travellers and locals, and improvements should have been planned systematically rather than addressed only after public complaints.
“Sabah’s airport is often the first impression visitors have of our region. While upgrades are important, they must be carried out with accountability, proper planning and clear justification of costs.”
Wong therefore urged Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and relevant agencies to publicly clarify the project scope, tender process, contractor appointment, and provide access to the detailed BOQ.
“People are not against upgrading facilities. What they oppose is spending that is unclear and difficult to justify.”
He emphasized that KKIA is not merely an airport, but a reflection of Sabah’s governance standards, and any project involving significant expenditure must be able to withstand public scrutiny.
