KOTA KINABALU, Oct 13 — The Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu has refuted claims circulating on social media that they had issued a “strong warning” to the Sabah government over the state’s ongoing water supply crisis.
In a statement on Facebook today, the consulate described the allegations as “disinformation”, clarifying that neither the Embassy of China in Malaysia nor the Consulate General had ever issued any warning, threat, or travel advisory to Sabah or any local authority.
“Neither the Embassy of China in Malaysia nor the Consulate General of China in Kota Kinabalu has ever issued any so-called ‘warning’ or ‘threat’ to the Sabah State Government, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), or any other local authorities regarding the water supply issue, nor have we mentioned any so-called ‘travel advisory,’” the statement read.
The clarification came after reports on social media alleged that Chinese officials had met with state authorities, including DBKK and the Sabah Tourism Board, to express dissatisfaction over widespread water disruptions affecting hotels and tourist areas.
Some social media accounts quoted unnamed sources in the reports, which claimed that the Chinese Embassy had “strongly warned” Sabah to fix the issue or risk a travel advisory being issued to discourage Chinese nationals from visiting the state.
The Consulate General dismissed these claims, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
“The Consulate General will continue to uphold the spirit of China–Malaysia friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, and further strengthen practical collaboration between China and Malaysia, as well as between China and Sabah, in areas such as tourism, trade, and culture,” it said.
The consulate also urged media outlets to verify information before publication and to avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could harm diplomatic relations.
Sabah’s chronic water supply problems have become increasingly disruptive in recent months, with residents and businesses — including five-star hotels and shopping malls in the city centre — facing frequent dry taps.
Last month, several hotels in Kota Kinabalu reportedly experienced prolonged water outages, while parts of the Imago Shopping Mall were left without supply for nearly a week.
Tourism remains a crucial sector for Sabah’s economy, with Chinese visitors historically making up the largest share of international arrivals. Industry players have expressed concern that ongoing water issues could deter future tourists and further strain the state’s post-pandemic recovery.
