Consumer group questions approval of Kepayan commercial project

KOTA KINABALU: Approval of a proposed mixed development project at a formerly designated open space area in Kepayan here continues to raise concerns with a consumer group asking how it was approved in the first place.

Sabah West Coast Smart Consumer Association president David Chan said that the authorities should look into the overall area before approving such a major project in the residential area that is tucked around the Market 88 commercial shops.

“Kota Kinabalu City Hall should conduct proper feasibility studies under its urban planning unit before giving approval for major development projects.

“This will ease public confusion and anxiety,” Chan said on Monday (Jan 15).

He said currently the place is already clogged with traffic and a major development like a condominium will definitely worsen the situation for residents and businesses.

Chan said that for any development to take place in the area, City Hall should take necessary action to widen the single lane road to a dual carriageway to ease congestion.

Residents in the area said that the mixed development area was reserved for sports and recreational purposes and have questioned how it was changed to allow for the land to be used for commercial development.

On Sunday (Jan 14), Luyang assemblyman Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe said the project has already been approved by City Hall and the developer has been allowed to continue with works.

Phoong said there was a possibility of a win-win situation for the residents with the building of a hybrid-style public park inside the mixed development area.

He said countries like Singapore and Japan have landscapes and parks that are publicly accessible within apartments and also shopping malls that are accessible to the public at all times.

“If the residents want a park, we can build a very beautiful park or even a sky park that is 24-hour accessible to the public in the condominium.

“All modern cities such as in the United States have been doing this due to land scarcity,” he added.

He said that Kota Kinabalu City Hall had also asked the developer to widen the roads.