Kota Kinabalu: One of the blocks of Menara Kinabalu here experienced water overflow at 12.25 pm yesterday, resulting in 2,588 square metres of office space in Block A being flooded.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sabah Public Works Department director Philemon Lajawai stated that the overflow was caused by a malfunction of the float valve in the fire prevention system’s storage water tank on Level 11, Block A of the tower, which is the Sabah government’s administrative centre. “The cleaning work was only completed at 11.30 pm on Wednesday,” he said in a statement today.

Earlier, various videos of the incident went viral on social media showing the office area overflowing with water. Philemon mentioned that a delay by the facility management company, Sinar Uni-Resources Sdn Bhd, in shutting down the water pump led to Levels 11, 10, 9, 8, and 7 in Block A, Menara Kinabalu being flooded.

He estimated that approximately 34,000 litres of water were pumped out continuously for 45 minutes, resulting in the water overflow. The damaged components were quickly replaced. “As a safety measure, the operating system of eight lifts was immediately shut down during the incident,” he added.

However, the operation of one staff lift was confirmed safe at 6 pm on April 30, while one cargo lift was not affected by the incident and is still functioning as usual. The Sabah State Public Works Department will conduct a detailed investigation into this incident to confirm that there were no elements of negligence and to prevent the same thing from happening again in the future.