SANDAKAN: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) has pledged to complete a comprehensive, permanent solution to the longstanding roof leakage issue at Sandakan Airport by the middle of October.
This commitment comes after direct intervention from Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong Shir Yee, who demanded an end to temporary patchwork repairs.
The push for a definitive resolution highlights the airport’s critical role as a primary gateway for tourism and trade in the region. During a meeting with airport management for a progress update, Vivian stressed that such maintenance failures are unacceptable for a facility of its importance.
“What we expect, and what the people of Sandakan deserve, is not another ad hoc repair, but a complete and durable solution that eradicates this leaky problem once and for all,” stated Vivian.
“As tourism rebounds, the first impression for visitors must be a positive and professional one.”
According to Sandakan Airport Manager, Mohamad Nazri Mat Khalib, the scale of the repair work is significant. Initial efforts, which began last month, involved repairing critical sections but revealed the need for a full replacement.
“Progress was initially slowed as our teams had to carefully remove large portions of the existing roofing to properly access the damaged gutter sections,” explained Mohamad Nazri.
“To ensure a permanent fix, we are now replacing the entire length of all four main roof gutters—each measuring 128 metres—with new, high-quality stainless-steel units.”
The timeline for this extensive refurbishment is set for completion by mid-October, aligning with Sandakan’s growing momentum in tourism. Vivian further emphasized this point, noting the district’s recovery post-pandemic.
“With increasing tourist arrivals, the recent reopening of a major town centre hotel, and new resort developments on Berhala Island, it is imperative that Sandakan presents its best face to the world,” she said.
“This airport upgrade is a crucial step in our preparations to welcome visitors for Visit Malaysia 2026,” Vivian added. – James Leong
