Sabah Museum did object to heritage site project

Sabah Museum, the keeper of the iconic Atkinson Clock Tower, has hotly denied a claim that it raised no objections to a proposed 16-storey hotel-cum-mall complex next to the 105-year-old heritage site in Kota Kinabalu.

The site is along Jalan Balai Polis at the foot of Signal Hill, Bukit Bendera , a green lung of old colonial houses and the Istana which rises near the shoreline.

"As the guardian of historical sites and monuments in Sabah, the State Museum has in fact strongly objected to the proposed development," said Sabah Museum director Joseph P Guntavid in a statement yesterday.

Guntavid disclosed that Sabah Museum had written a letter stating  its objections last month to the project consultants, Chemsain Konsult Sdn Bhd which had sought its views on the proposed project.

In the letter the museum had expressed strong reservations and objections that the proposed development will adversely affect the clock tower. However, it did welcome a plan that takes into account the full safety of the clock tower, including its unobstructed view and the aesthetics of the site, thereby virtually ruling out the project.

He was rebutting a claim by Sabah Housing and Town Development Authority (SHTDA) chair Rubin Balang that the proposed development had the blessing of the Sabah Museum. The SHTDA owns the site which, it is hoped, can be developed in joint-venture with a private company.

Potential law breaking project

Guntavid also pointed out that Sabah Museum had to object to the proposed project as it went against existing laws on ancient monuments and historical sites. Specifically, he cited the Antiquities and Treasure Trove Enactment (Amendment) 2007 and the Cultural Heritage Enactment 1997.

Hence, the Sabah Museum believes that it would be "cultural suicide" to allow a project of some great magnitude to arise next to the "iconic and protected Atkinson Clock Tower".

The museum wants the project to be either scaled down considerably or be relocated elsewhere. No building in KK is at present taller than 12 stories. The proximity of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport is one reason.

"The century old clock tower is a fragile structure which has undergone many repairs over the years," said Guntavid. "The clock tower would be in danger of collapse because of the close proximity, 6.3 metres, of the proposed building to it."

The museum fears that the wooden clock tower would not be able to survive the excavation for the proposed building and disturbance around the site.

Guntavid confirmed that Sabah Museum had the opportunity to view the proposed development plan on Aug 19 after it had been approved by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.

No attempts were made by any party to involve Sabah Museum before the proposed development was formulated, he added, "despite the fact that a heritage site was involved". It's also not known how City Hall could have approved such a plan without input from Sabah Museum.

The State Museum's one other major objection is that the project would also permanently obscure the view of the clock tower from the south-west side of the city, "thus depriving the city folks from consulting its perfect time".

No need for such monstrosities

Heritage Sabah (HS), a newly-formed ad hoc NGO, has charged that it will also involve hill cutting and tree-felling in the Signal Hill area. The group wants the entire proposed project site to be acquired by the state government and turned into a public park.

"They will have to cut the trees along the slope and this does not enhance the clock tower," said HS chair and architect Richard Nelson Sokial. "Based on the approved building plan, the tower will only get the full view of the mall's parking lot which is actually the rear of the building."

Sokial fumed that there was no justification to have a 16-storey "monster" next to the city's oldest historical landscape "with the pathetic excuse that it will enhance the aesthetic value of the clock tower".

The Atkinson Clock Tower is one of only two pre-war structures in KK to survive World War II. The other is the building now housing the Sabah Tourism office along Jalan Gaya.

Sokial agrees that alternative economic opportunities can be proposed if the project site is acquired. This would involve local artists and photographers plying their trade in the area, and space for traditional crafts and services of old Jesselton, besides stalls selling t-shirts, souvenirs and other paraphernalia.

The wooden clock tower has a series of steps linking the town centre to the observatory overlooking the city on Signal Hill.

Wilfred Lingham, the former permanent secretary to the then state ministry of local government and tourism, thinks that the state government should consider gazetting the entire Signal Hill area from Tanjung Lipat to Karamunsing "to be preserved in perpetuity".

"We need to conserve this whole ridge as it is this which makes KK very unique," said Lingham. "The first sight from the sea is this lush green façade which excites and gives a good feeling. Hence, Singgah Mata - where the eyes love to behold - the original Bajau name for KK."

Criticism against the proposed project has been raging on the social network site Facebook at  since last week.

Another group of concerned citizens has launched an online petition pleading with the state government not to allow the proposed development even under a new EIA so that the greenery can be preserved in perpetuity.