Warisan Youth chief Terence Au has called for a detailed explanation over the RM11.8 million spent to upgrade 26 toilets at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), questioning whether the expenditure represents value for public money.
In a statement, Au said the project works out to about RM453,000 per toilet, a figure he described as alarming. While he acknowledged the importance of improving public facilities, he stressed that such a high cost requires transparent clarification from the authorities involved.
“The public has the right to know the actual scope of work, how the costs were determined, and whether comparisons were made with similar projects at other airports to ensure the spending is reasonable,” he said.
Au added that explanations such as phased implementation and 24-hour cleaning schedules do not address the core issue of why the cost per toilet is close to half a million ringgit. He argued that spending priorities at an international airport should focus primarily on safety-related infrastructure, including runway maintenance.
“Toilets can be replaced, but lives cannot. Runway safety must always come first,” he said.
He also highlighted broader concerns in Sabah, including poor road conditions, ageing schools, limited healthcare facilities and frequent water supply disruptions, saying large public expenditures must be backed by clear justification and transparency.
Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe also questioned the project, describing it as a case of management failure. He said the airport operator had failed to take effective action to address unsatisfactory workmanship.
“Based on what I have personally observed, the overall workmanship is not only unreasonable but highly questionable,” he said.
Phoong noted that 20 toilets have reportedly been completed, with the remaining six expected to be finished by April or May. He said netizens had pointed out that each toilet upgrade averaged about RM400,000, yet visible defects remain.
“When each toilet costs around RM400,000, the public is entitled to facilities that reflect quality, comfort and even world-class standards. What we are seeing instead are defects that should never exist in a project costing tens of millions of ringgit,” he said.
Inspections reportedly found uneven and poorly laid tiles, rough finishing, loose or improperly installed fixtures, water seepage and malfunctioning fittings, even in toilets certified as completed.
Phoong said he had raised the issue with Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who has committed to personally follow up and ensure Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) takes responsibility for the project.
