Latest news with #KotaKinabaluCityHall
Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Yong: Restore original design and structure of KK Community Centre
Yong chatting with DBKK officers on duty at the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre. KOTA KINABALU (July 31): The Kota Kinabalu Community Centre, which was partially burnt recently, should be restored to its original design and structure with upgrading only to its toilets and cafe facilities in order to preserve its heritage status and culturally historic value, said former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee. As is well known locally, the community centre has been the site of many momentous and historic events from the colonial era to today. The community centre was gazetted as a cultural heritage conservation site under the Sabah Cultural Heritage Conservation Enactment 1997. It remains protected as a heritage site, he said in a statement today. 'During my visit to the site today, I found that much of the original concrete walls at the main hall are not materially affected by the fire which occurred mainly on the east site of the hall. The roof, on the other hand, needs a complete reconstruction,' he said. Whatever the plans are for the site, he said there should be no demolition. 'Do not demolish and rebuild from the ground upwards because that would eliminate all memories of the historic events that occurred there and remove all traces of the historic building.' Yong recalled that in the 1980s, there were attempts to demolish the community hall and build a new commercial complex on the site. However, upon gazetting of the community centre as a cultural heritage conservation site in 1997, the hall has become a protected site, including protection from commercial interests. He called on the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the Sabah Cultural Heritage Council to recognise the heritage value of the site, of which there are very few in Kota Kinabalu. 'We should resist the temptation to build another so-called modern convention centre to replicate a convention centre or commercial building that is devoid of cultural heritage. Cultural heritage cannot be replicated. Heritage is something that has withstood the test of time and has entered the collective psyche and memory of the local people,' he added. DBKK has announced the immediate closure of the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre following a fire incident in the early hours of Monday that caused extensive structural and property damage. The fire, which broke out around 1am, prompted DBKK to suspend all public use and bookings at the facility until further notice, as it begins a comprehensive damage assessment and restoration planning.
The Star
11 hours ago
- General
- The Star
Gutted historic KK hall must be restored to original design, says former Sabah CM
KOTA KINABALU: The historic Kota Kinabalu Community Centre, which was destroyed in a fire, must be restored with its original design and structure, says Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee said. The former Sabah chief minister said upgrading should only be done for its toilets and cafe facilities in order to preserve its heritage status and culturally historical value. "It is a well-known community centre and has been the site of many momentous and historic events from the colonial era until today," he said. The community centre was gazetted as a Cultural Heritage Conservation site under the Sabah Cultural Heritage Conservation Enactment 1997. "It remains protected as a heritage site," he said during a visit to the community hall, which suffered 80% damage in a fire on Tuesday (July 29). "During my visit to the site, I found that much of the original concrete walls at the main hall are not materially affected by the fire, which occurred mainly on the east side of the hall. "The roof, on the other hand, needs a complete reconstruction," he said. Following the fire, Kota Kinabalu City Hall said that they were assessing the damages with an eye to restoring the post-World War II building that was opened in 1958. The Kota Kinabalu Community Hall is seen as a historical landmark in the city as it was used by the British colonial government, and was the site of major events, including gatherings for the formation of Malaysia. The hall stood as a post-war symbol of reconstruction, as most of Jesselton (the former name of Kota Kinabalu) was destroyed during the Allied liberation of Sabah from the Japanese. It was opened in 1958 by then British North Borneo governor Sir Roland Turnbull. Over the past six decades, the hall was a venue for community and political gatherings, exhibitions and sporting events such as boxing, badminton and basketball matches.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
KK waste to be converted into renewable energy
The Kayu Madang landfill near the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park in Telipok. KOTA KINABALU (July 30): A biogas energy facility will be built at the Kayu Madang landfill near the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park in Telipok to convert methane gas from solid waste into green electricity. Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Petco Trading Labuan Company Ltd to develop the facility. Under the agreement, Petco Trading Labuan Company Ltd will construct a biogas energy complex at the landfill, converting methane emissions from solid waste into energy. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor witnessed the signing ceremony. 'This clean energy will directly benefit the manufacturing sector at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP). It is a prime example of circular economy in action, where waste from one sector becomes a resource for another,' Hajiji explained. He said both initiatives align with Sabah's Blue Economy agenda, which emphasises sustainable development, value-added fisheries and a shift towards clean energy. 'The success in attracting these investments reflects investor confidence in Sabah's economic prospects. I believe strong collaboration between DBKK, the private sector and the State Government will accelerate economic growth and generate more job opportunities for the people,' he said. Hajiji also extended his appreciation to DBKK for its ongoing efforts in driving city development and thanked both companies for choosing Sabah as their strategic investment destination. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the population of Kota Kinabalu was estimated to exceed 600,000 in 2023, with an annual growth rate of about 2.5 per cent. Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said this growth has wide-ranging implications for energy demand, solid waste management, and the need for a highly skilled workforce. 'A planned, forward-looking development strategy grounded in sustainability is therefore essential. 'The biogas initiative at Kayu Madang is timely. It offers a solution to the growing solid waste problem — which exceeds 850 tonnes daily in the West Coast area — while also serving as a catalyst for renewable energy generation, with a projected capacity of up to 2 Megawatts,' he said at the ceremony. Sabin added that the two Megawatts of electricity produced would be sufficient to power some 2,000 homes or several light industrial zones. 'This initiative aligns with the Kota Kinabalu City Strategic Plan 2025–2035 and the aspirations of the Kota Kinabalu Low Carbon City Action Plan. 'It also supports Target Three of DBKK's Low Carbon City Plan, which aims to reduce the city's carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030, in line with Malaysia's commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement. 'This project holds strategic value not just for the city, but also strengthens Sabah's broader ambitions towards green development and a circular economy,' he said. Also present at the ceremony was Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah on track to becoming regional deep-sea fisheries hub, says Hajiji
Hajiji (centre) witnesses the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and Petco Trading Labuan Company Ltd at the Pacific Sutera Harbour on Wednesday. KOTA KINABALU (July 30): Sabah is well-positioned to become the region's premier deep-sea fisheries hub, thanks to its strategic geographical and economic advantages, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. Speaking at a memorandum signing ceremony on Wednesday, Hajiji said Sabah lies along international tuna migration routes and is home to naturally sheltered ports located close to major seafood-producing countries including Indonesia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea. 'We have all the prerequisites, strategic location, rich marine resources, infrastructure and policy support to establish Sabah as a world-class landing, processing and exporting centre for deep-sea fishery products,' he said. Hajiji witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and Petco Trading Labuan Company Ltd, as well as a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between DBKK and Alpha Ocean Resources Berhad (AORB), at the Pacific Sutera Harbour. Under the MoA, AORB will invest RM360 million to develop a European Union (EU) standard port in Kota Kinabalu, specifically for the landing of tuna and other deep-sea catches. The project, expected to be completed within 18 months, is projected to create over 1,000 jobs across the fisheries value chain. 'This facility will adhere to stringent EU standards, including Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), traceability systems, monitoring of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and comprehensive food safety protocols. 'With this infrastructure in place, Sabah can access premium export markets that were previously out of reach due to the lack of suitable facilities,' Hajiji said. He added that Malaysia's membership in the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) positions the new port to serve as a recognised landing base for licensed international fishing vessels. 'With an estimated 1,000 vessels expected annually, each landing an average of 50 tonnes, Sabah stands to land up to 50,000 tonnes of tuna per year, generating potential economic returns of up to RM1.8 billion,' he said. The benefits, he noted, will extend beyond fish landings to include ancillary sectors such as ice supply, bunkering, food and beverage services and technical support industries. Hajiji also underscored that the industry's development would not come at the expense of local coastal communities. An inclusive model will ensure that small-scale fishers are integrated into downstream value-added components. 'We are committed to sustainable environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, safeguarding the marine ecosystem, supporting communities and upholding transparent governance for long-term economic and environmental sustainability,' he said. In a related development, DBKK also signed an MoU with Petco Trading Labuan Company Ltd to develop a biogas energy facility at the Kayu Madang landfill. The facility will convert methane gas from solid waste into two Megawatts of green electricity. 'This clean energy will directly benefit the manufacturing sector at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP). It is a prime example of circular economy in action, where waste from one sector becomes a resource for another,' Hajiji explained. He said both initiatives align with Sabah's Blue Economy agenda, which emphasises sustainable development, value-added fisheries and a shift towards clean energy. 'The success in attracting these investments reflects investor confidence in Sabah's economic prospects. I believe strong collaboration between DBKK, the private sector and the State Government will accelerate economic growth and generate more job opportunities for the people,' he said. Hajiji also extended his appreciation to DBKK for its ongoing efforts in driving city development and thanked both companies for choosing Sabah as their strategic investment destination.
Daily Express
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Express
Historic Kota Kinabalu Community Centre blaze
Published on: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 30, 2025 By: Jimmy Goh Text Size: The fire that damaged the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre. Kota Kinabalu: A fire broke out at the historic Kota Kinabalu Community Centre on Jalan Dewan Masyarakat, Monday, destroying 80 per cent of equipment intended for the coming August 31 National Day celebrations and causing extensive damage to the cherished heritage building. The blaze, which began around 11pm on Monday, prompted a distress call at 12.44am that brought 25 firefighters from Kota Kinabalu, Lintas and Penampang stations to the scene. The emergency teams battled the fire for more than three hours before finally bringing it under control at 4.88am Tuesday. No injuries were reported. The fire destroyed sound systems and LED screens that had been delivered just hours earlier for the National Day ceremony. A 21-year-old Kota Kinabalu City Hall staff member known as Aurel, said the equipment had arrived via a 3-tonne lorry at 3pm. Police, DBKK staff and Sabah Electricity personnel also responded to assist at the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation as at press time. The hall survived decades of challenges including rapid urbanisation, tropical weather and the passage of time as one of the earliest public structures built in Kota Kinabalu after World War II. Originally known as the Jesselton Community Centre, the hall has served as the heart of civic life in Kota Kinabalu for over six decades. It was designed by Billings Leong. It was built in the 1950s and has a multi-purpose space featuring a full basketball court convertible to three badminton courts, with seating for 800 people. Built on land that previously served as a football field and recreation area under British rule, the hall quickly became the city's premier venue for official functions, community events, cultural performances and public forums. Its importance peaked during Sabah's early development following independence in 1963 and was where the Cobbold Commission held its hearings on the wishes of the people towards the Malaysia proposal. The hall also played a sombre role during the Double Six Crash tragedy, serving as a location where victims' bodies, including that of Tun Fuad Stephens, were placed for last respects. In the mid-1990s it was slated for demolition under a redevelopment plan that would have seen a shopping complex in its place. However, a sustained media campaign by Daily Express with support from then Museum Director Datuk Jamdin Buyong that it was too important to be demolished and qualified for Heritage status won the day. The relevant Minister then had Jamdin transferred out. Meanwhile, in another part of the city, firefighters rescued two men trapped in an elevator during a construction material fire at a commercial centre, Tuesday. Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 1.57am and arrived at the scene 13 minutes later. The fire occurred on the fifth-floor parking area, damaging 20 per cent of the space. Both victims, who suffered breathing difficulties from smoke inhalation, were treated at the scene by Emergency Medical Rescue Services personnel. The blaze was brought under control at 3.25am and fully extinguished eight minutes later. Nineteen firefighters from Kota Kinabalu, Putatan and Penampang fire stations responded to the emergency. Police and Sabah Electricity personnel were also present to assist. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Both victims are reported to be in stable condition. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
