The Sabah government has received a rare compliment from a political rival over its decision to build new headquarters for the Kota Kinabalu City Hall near Jesselton Point.

Sabah Progressive Party Wanita head Melanie Chia said the housing of all departments under one roof will enable DBKK to function more efficiently.

melanie chia sapp sabah wanita 180509 “The new building will definitely uplift the image of Kota Kinabalu as a city. (The plan will allow for) more efficiency and effective management of services for the benefit of the people,” she said.

“We hope the delivery system can be further improved with better logistics.”

Kota Kinabalu Mayor Iliyas Ibrahim had announced last week that Chief Minister Musa Aman had approved the allocation for the project.

Suria Capital Holdings Bhd, which is based in the city, will start work on the project this year and complete it in three years.

Chia, a former state assistant minister, noted that the RM200 million building will be financed through federal funding as it is under the Sabah Development Corridor.

“We are in need of more federal funds to improve and upgrade our basic infrastructure and services and improve the standard of living in Sabah,” she said.

City Hall’s offices are currently divided between an old building and the Centre Point shopping complex.

Chia said this has caused much inconvenience to users who have to go from one place to another to gain access to services provided by different departments.

The current building has been in existence since the district office days. It subsequently housed the town council and municipal council, before accommodating part of City Hall.

‘Get feedback from people’

The physical development of the city should go hand in hand with its cultural development, Chia said.

“The mayor should get feedback from the people and organisations in the city on their aspirations for the new building. After all the city belongs to the people who live in it and we are all responsible for its well being.”

She suggested that a world-class convention hall be included to cater for international events, as well as double as a venue for cultural shows including concerts and orchestral performances.

sabah public transport service problem 090609 06 At the same time, the public transport system has to be efficient. She said she hoped that hiccups with the new system , launched on June 1, will be resolved soon.

Senior citizens in particular have complained about the services along different routes, as well as the cost and congestion.

Chia said a pedestrian bridge should be built to link the bus terminal to the Wawasan Plaza shopping complex.

“We hope the federal government will allocate money to improve our public transport system, just as it has done in the peninsula. This will reduce the stress on commuters.”