DBKK proposes rebuilding historic community hall after fire
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 1): Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) will propose rebuilding the fire-ravaged Kota Kinabalu Community Hall to the state government, rejecting demolition plans for the historic site.
Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah confirmed the blaze destroyed over 50 per cent of the structure, gutting its wooden roof, walls, and fittings. Concrete elements, however, remain intact.
'We have no plans to demolish it. Preserving the original form is an option we will propose,' Sabin stated at the Jalur Gemilang 2025 campaign launch today.
He added that external landscaping may be upgraded for aesthetic appeal.
The fire, which erupted late Sunday night, consumed much of the 1958 post-World War II landmark.
A full investigation by the Fire and Rescue Services Department is underway to determine its cause. Findings will guide the restoration proposal to the state cabinet.
Parti Bersatu Sabah Api-Api information chief Yee Tsai Yiew, has expressed her full support for Kota Kinabalu City Hall's decision to restore the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall, a site that holds more than six decades of Sabah's cultural and historical heritage.
Yee underscored the importance of ensuring that the restoration process respects the hall's
irreplaceable cultural significance while complying with updated safety and legal standards.
'As a significant centre for cultural and historical events in the state, the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall is not only a city landmark, but also a witness to Sabah's social transformation over the decades,' she said in a statement today.
She noted that the hall is officially designated as a Cultural Heritage Conservation Site under the Sabah Cultural Heritage Conservation Enactment 1997, which grants it legal protection due to its historical value.
The building suffered major damage from a fire, prompting widespread concern from the public.
In response, Yee, who also serves as the Special Officer to the Chief Minister urged the
authorities to immediately launch a comprehensive evaluation aimed at restoring the hall to its original design, in accordance with the framework established under heritage conservation laws.
She also emphasized the need for thorough structural safety assessments and hazardous
materials testing to protect the health and well-being of both the public and the restoration workforce.
In addition, she proposed that Kota Kinabalu City Hall consider relocating the recycling centre currently adjacent to the community hall to ensure a safer and more conducive environment for the area moving forward.
Former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee has also called for the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall to 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.
The hall, opened by British North Borneo Governor Sir Roland Turnbull, symbolizes post-war reconstruction and has hosted civic, political, and cultural events for decades.
Gazetted as a Cultural Heritage Conservation site under the Sabah Cultural Heritage Conservation Enactment 1997, the hall remains legally protected.
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