No plans to demolish remaining structures of historic KK community centre, says Liew
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will not demolish the remaining structures of the historic Kota Kinabalu Community Centre which was badly damaged in a fire on July 29.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the remaining building will not be demolished as it holds a historical and cultural significance to the state and its people.
She said that a special fund allocation will be sought from the state government for the restoration of the historic community centre which was opened in 1958 by the British colonial government in post-World War 2 reconstruction.
She said Kota Kinabalu Community Centre has hosted memorable events including historical meetings as well government programmes, cultural festivals, community engagements, tournaments, musicals, beauty pageants, and NGO and youth activities.
State Tourism, Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew (centre) checking out the gutted Kota Kinabalu Community Centre during a site visit.
"We don't want to lose this valuable heritage structure altogether. Based on records kept by the Sabah Museum Department, the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre became a cultural heritage building from 1999 until 2017.
"In 2017, it was declared a State Heritage building in accordance with the State Heritage Enactment 2017," said Liew, who is also State Heritage Council chairman.
Liew inspected the site on Monday (Aug 4) with the ministry's permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Sabah Museums Department director Abd Arif Hamid, and Kota Kinabalu City Hall deputy director (Financial Management Unit) Victor Gerard Kuasi.
Liew had also called for immediate action to clear the debris around the gutted community centre and cordoned off the area for public safety.
"We do not want people, particularly children and the elderly, to get hurt," she said.
An early morning fire on July 29 destroyed 80% of the community centre as well the adjacent recycling centre operated by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
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The Star
a day ago
- The Star
No plans to demolish remaining structures of historic KK community centre, says Liew
State Tourism, Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew (lleft) checking out the gutted Kota Kinabalu Community Centre during a site visit. In the background is the gutted recycling centre adjacent to the community centre. KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government will not demolish the remaining structures of the historic Kota Kinabalu Community Centre which was badly damaged in a fire on July 29. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the remaining building will not be demolished as it holds a historical and cultural significance to the state and its people. She said that a special fund allocation will be sought from the state government for the restoration of the historic community centre which was opened in 1958 by the British colonial government in post-World War 2 reconstruction. She said Kota Kinabalu Community Centre has hosted memorable events including historical meetings as well government programmes, cultural festivals, community engagements, tournaments, musicals, beauty pageants, and NGO and youth activities. State Tourism, Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew (centre) checking out the gutted Kota Kinabalu Community Centre during a site visit. "We don't want to lose this valuable heritage structure altogether. Based on records kept by the Sabah Museum Department, the Kota Kinabalu Community Centre became a cultural heritage building from 1999 until 2017. "In 2017, it was declared a State Heritage building in accordance with the State Heritage Enactment 2017," said Liew, who is also State Heritage Council chairman. Liew inspected the site on Monday (Aug 4) with the ministry's permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Sabah Museums Department director Abd Arif Hamid, and Kota Kinabalu City Hall deputy director (Financial Management Unit) Victor Gerard Kuasi. Liew had also called for immediate action to clear the debris around the gutted community centre and cordoned off the area for public safety. "We do not want people, particularly children and the elderly, to get hurt," she said. An early morning fire on July 29 destroyed 80% of the community centre as well the adjacent recycling centre operated by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Liew: Funds will be secured for community centre
Published on: Wednesday, August 06, 2025 Published on: Wed, Aug 06, 2025 Text Size: Liew, accompanied by government officials, inspecting the site of the fire incident. At right (background) is the Recycle Store. Kota Kinabalu: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) will apply to the State Government for the necessary funds for the restoration of the historic Kota Kinabalu Community Hall which was destroyed by fire on July 29. Its Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the remaining building will not be demolished as it holds a historical and cultural significance since its completion in 1958. Advertisement She added that the Kota Kinabalu Community had, since then, hosted numerous events, including government programmes, cultural festivals, community engagements, game tournaments, musicals, beauty pageants as well as NGO and youth activities. 'We don't want to lose this valuable heritage structure altogether. Based on records kept by the Sabah Museum Department, the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall became a cultural heritage building from 1999 until 2017. 'In 2017, it was declared a State Heritage building in accordance with the State Heritage Enactment 2017,' said Liew, who is also Chairman of the State Heritage Council, after inspecting the site of the fire incident, Monday. She was accompanied by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Director of Sabah Museum Department, Abd Arif Hamid, and Deputy Director-General of Kota Kinabalu City Hall (Financial Management Sector), Victor Gerard Kuasi. Advertisement The Minister also called for urgent efforts to clear the massive broken debris, and cordon off the affected area in the interest of public safety. 'We do not want people, particularly children and the elderly, to get hurt,' she said. Also present were the Ministry's Deputy Permanent Secretary II, Datin Cleopatra Asing, Deputy Director of Sabah Museum, Lester Millip, and Director of Property Management Department (DBKK), Hjh Jamaliah Basir. * 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
Daily Express
2 days ago
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Funding sought to restore historic KK Community Hall
Published on: Tuesday, August 05, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 05, 2025 Text Size: Liew (left), accompanied by government officials at the site of the fire incident. KOTA KINABALU: The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) will request state funding to restore the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall, which was destroyed by fire on July 29. Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew said the building, completed in 1958, will not be demolished due to its historical and cultural significance. It has hosted countless events, including government programmes, festivals, and youth activities. Declared a State Heritage building in 2017, the hall was previously recognised as a cultural heritage site from 1999. Liew, also Chairman of the State Heritage Council, urged for immediate debris clearance and safety measures to protect the public. She visited the site on Monday with officials from the Ministry, Sabah Museum Department, and Kota Kinabalu City Hall. * 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
