KOTA KINABALU: 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.
Yiew 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.
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 in the early hours of Tuesday, prompting widespread concern from the public.
In response, Yiew, 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, Yiew 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.
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