Penampang Council headquarters Sabah's first green government building

Borneo Post

6 hours ago

Dr Joachim (seated) with guests observing the live surveillance feed of business premises in Donggonggon town at the Penampang District Council's command centre.
PENAMPANG (June 20): The Penampang Municipal Council (MPP) headquarters has officially received the green building certification, making it the first government building in Sabah to obtain such recognition.
This marks a historic achievement in MPP's efforts to strengthen sustainability practices and innovation within public service.
The recognition was announced during an official ceremony officiated by Deputy Chief Minister II and Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who also launched the MPP e-Adu mobile application and command centre during a joint event today.
Dr Joachim said that this achievement clearly reflects MPP's commitment to addressing global challenges related to climate change, energy management and carbon emission reduction.
'This is a proud achievement. The green building certification reflects MPP's commitment to sustainable building management through initiatives such as the installation of solar systems, use of energy-efficient equipment and the implementation of LED lighting,' he said during his speech at the event held at the MPP lobby.
Dr Joachim added that the success aligns with the State Government's goal of making Sabah a smart, sustainable and environmentally responsive state that prioritises the wellbeing of its people.
The green building certification is awarded to buildings that meet sustainability standards, including energy efficiency, water management, the use of eco-friendly building materials, and designs that promote recycling and natural ventilation.
MPP's achievement also corresponds with the Third Pillar of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan, which focuses on people's wellbeing and environmental sustainability, highlighting sustainable development and green technology as key priorities.
Dr Joachim also praised the MPP's boldness in adopting new technologies, which not only reduce long-term operational costs but also contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
In addition, the launch of the e-Adu app and the MPP command centre signifies the beginning of a new era in digital governance and data-driven management at the local government level.
The command centre is equipped with a CCTV monitoring system, used not only for safety and traffic surveillance but also to assist in disaster management, such as floods and unexpected incidents.
The e-Adu app enables the public to submit complaints more easily, transparently and efficiently, in line with the aspiration to develop a responsive, people-centred urban environment.
'This new approach reflects how MPP is progressing towards becoming a smart city, powered by technology and data to enhance efficiency and quality of life,' he said.
Dr Joachim also expressed his appreciation to all parties who contributed to the success of the project, particularly former MPP president Francis Chong, as well as Benny Ng and Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (SHAREDA), who provided significant technical and professional expertise.
He called on other local authorities in Sabah to use this achievement as a benchmark to continue innovating and prioritising sustainability in their planning and development implementation.
Also present were Kapayan assemblywoman and chairman of the Rural Development Cooperative (KPD), Jannie Lasimbang; Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Datuk Dr Jamili Nais; MPP deputy president Noemi Dyena Johntren; Sabah Digital Government division chief assistant director, Disney Lai; political secretary to the Member of Parliament for Penampang, Carl Masoom; SHAREDA president Datuk Johnny Wong; GreenRE Sdn Bhd executive director Ashwin Thurairaja and Sabah Credit Corporation head of administration, Salina Salimi.