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Daily Express
8 hours 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
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Emergency gas terminal shutdown leads to power cuts in Sabah
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: An emergency shutdown of Petronas' gas terminal on Wednesday disrupted supply to several power stations and led to scheduled electricity rationing across parts of Sabah. Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) Chief Operating Officer Mohd Yusmanizam Mohd Yusof said the shutdown occurred at 2.11pm, affecting gas delivery to power plants in Kota Kinabalu. These plants were forced to switch from gas to diesel, reducing generation capacity on the Sabah and Labuan grid by 60MW. The first round of electricity rationing took place from 2.38pm to 4.53pm, affecting areas including Pitas, Papar, Keningau, Kunak, Balung, and Tawau. A second round began at 6.38pm, impacting Kudat, Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Lok Kawi, Kimanis, Beaufort, Tenom, Nabawan, Beluran, Sandakan, Semporna, Tawau, and Sebatik. Full power supply was restored by 9.36pm the same evening. Sabah Electricity apologised for the inconvenience and delay in notifying users, while urging continued cooperation and understanding as it works to maintain stable service. Users are advised to contact Sabah Electricity via the Careline at 15444, 088-515000, through WhatsApp at 019-852 5427, or by using the Sabah Electricity mobile application. * 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
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Emergency shutdown of Petronas gas terminal causes electricity supply rationing in Sabah
Yusmanizam KOTA KINABALU: An emergency shutdown at a Petronas-owned gas terminal on Wednesday disrupted gas supply to several power stations, forcing Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd to implement rotational electricity rationing in several areas across Sabah. Sabah Electricity chief operating officer Mohd Yusmanizam Mohd Yusof stated that the emergency shutdown at the Petronas gas terminal occurred at 2:11pm on Wednesday. This situation affected gas supply to several power stations in the Kota Kinabalu area, forcing them to switch from gas to diesel fuel. Consequently, this led to a 60MW reduction in generation capacity for the Sabah and Labuan grid. The first round of electricity rationing took place from 2:38pm to 4:53pm and affected users in Pitas, Papar, Keningau, Kunak, Balung and Tawau. A second round of rationing began at 6:38pm and involved areas including Kudat, Pitas, Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Lok Kawi, Kimanis, Beaufort, Tenom, Nabawan, Beluran, Sandakan, Kunak, Semporna, Tawau and Sebatik. Full electricity supply was restored at 9:36pm. Sabah Electricity acknowledges the inconvenience caused to users during the supply disruption and apologises for the delay in informing affected consumers. At the same time, it seeks the public's understanding regarding the challenges faced in providing a stable electricity supply. Users are advised to contact Sabah Electricity via the Careline at 15444, 088-515000, via WhatsApp at 019-8525427, or through the Sabah Electricity mobile application. lead Mohd Yusmanizam Mohd Yusof Sabah Electricity
Borneo Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Emergency shutdown of Petronas gas terminal causes electricity supply rationing
Yusmanizam KOTA KINABALU: An emergency shutdown at a Petronas-owned gas terminal on Wednesday disrupted gas supply to several power stations, forcing Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd to implement rotational electricity rationing in several areas across Sabah. Sabah Electricity's Chief Operating Officer, Ir. Ts. Mohd Yusmanizam bin Mohd Yusof, stated that the emergency shutdown at the Petronas gas terminal occurred at 2:11pm on Wednesday. This situation affected gas supply to several power stations in the Kota Kinabalu area, forcing them to switch from gas to diesel fuel. Consequently, this led to a 60MW reduction in generation capacity for the Sabah and Labuan grid. The first round of electricity rationing took place from 2:38pm to 4:53pm and affected users in Pitas, Papar, Keningau, Kunak, Balung and Tawau. A second round of rationing began at 6:38pm and involved areas including Kudat, Pitas, Kota Marudu, Tuaran, Lok Kawi, Kimanis, Beaufort, Tenom, Nabawan, Beluran, Sandakan, Kunak, Semporna, Tawau and Sebatik. Full electricity supply was restored at 9:36pm. Sabah Electricity acknowledges the inconvenience caused to users during the supply disruption and apologises for the delay in informing affected consumers. At the same time, it seeks the public's understanding regarding the challenges faced in providing a stable electricity supply. Users are advised to contact Sabah Electricity via the Careline at 15444, 088-515000, via WhatsApp at 019-852 5427, or through the Sabah Electricity mobile application.
Daily Express
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Government intervention urgently needed to quell public unrest
Published on: Wednesday, July 09, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 09, 2025 By: Mohd Izham Bin Hashim Text Size: Mokran outlined the widespread impact of water supply problems affecting both his constituents in Sungai Manila and those in Sandakan. Kota Kinabalu: Sungai Manila Assemblyman Mokran Ingkat called for urgent and decisive government intervention to tackle critical issues that continue to strain the daily lives of Sabahans. 'In the past month alone, there have been two demonstrations staged by residents over the prolonged water shortages,' Mokran said, highlighting the mounting frustration among the public. The most recent protest occurred just three days ago in Taman Permata, with another demonstration held previously in Kampung Peringkat Enam Rancangan Lubuh, Sandakan. Mokran outlined the widespread impact of water supply problems affecting both his constituents in Sungai Manila and those in Sandakan. While acknowledging the efforts of the Water Department in addressing these issues, he noted that some progress had been made after meeting with the District Engineer, for which he expressed gratitude. However, he stressed that these temporary fixes were insufficient to solve the long-term water supply problems in the region. 'I sincerely hope that efforts to resolve Sabah's water challenges will continue, especially given that the Water Department has been allocated the largest share of this year's budget,' he added, emphasising the need for sustained action and greater efficiency in using the funds. Mokran also raised concerns about the ongoing issue of bursting pipes in his constituency, which have resulted from increased water pressure. This problem follows the previous issue of low water pressure, which had already been a major inconvenience. He urged the government to give particular attention to the water pipeline connections leading to village areas, which remain vulnerable to bursts despite improvements to the main connections. 'While the main pipelines have been replaced, the branch pipes connecting to the villages frequently burst under increased pressure.' 'I hope this year's allocation can be fully utilised to upgrade our entire water distribution system,' Mokran emphasised, calling for focused government efforts to address Sabah's ongoing water supply issues and ensure a more reliable and sustainable infrastructure for the future. Shifting to electricity concerns, Mokran highlighted potential blackouts at educational institutions within the Sabah Education Hub in Sandakan. He informed the assembly that a concessionaire responsible for payments was allegedly awaiting payment from four institutions before settling their own bills, leading to disconnection warnings from Sabah Electricity. 'I am concerned that if this issue is not resolved, the educational institutions there – namely UMS, MRSM, Polytechnic, and Vocational College – will once again be without power,' he said. Addressing road connectivity, Mokran acknowledged the Public Works Department's maintenance efforts but lamented their lack of durability, observing that roads quickly developed potholes after repairs. He urged for more meticulous and systematic maintenance, questioning the quality of materials or outdated methods. He also criticized the slow pace of major road repair works, citing lengthy culvert replacement projects near Sabah Hotel and ongoing delays on Jalan Nasalim. The Assemblyman also brought attention to the issue of affordable housing, relaying concerns from the B40 youth group who recently aired their grievances via a TikTok podcast called 'Kunyangyang Show' by the group 'Merpati Simpang'. He noted their frustration over homes developed on LPPB land, intended as affordable, but priced at RM300,000 or more, which he stated was beyond the reach of young individuals earning RM1,700-RM2,000. He called for LPPB to genuinely develop 'Therefore, we appeal to the government to ensure that LPPB genuinely develops affordable housing on its own land, and not burden the community.' * 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
