Gazette the land of Atkinson Clock Tower

Gazette the land of Atkinson Clock Tower and the ex Jesselton  Recreation Club

Where would you find a wooden clock tower of 50 feet sitting on high ground all alone facing the wharf/harbour of Kota Kinabalu to have survived the bombing spree of Jesselton in the Second World War? Completed on 20 April, 1905, and now the subject of “destruction” has come back to “haunt” us as it is a priceless heritage piece of memory of the first District Officer of Jesselton Francis George Atkinson (FGA) in the British chartered company’s reign as North Borneo was only made a British colony in 1946.

Many may not know that the Atkinson Clock Tower (ACT) is sitting on a piece of land with a title and not on public ground although it is accessible for all especially to tourists. 

Many also think that as it is a heritage item, it will attract a lot of people but how many have daily visits to the site all alone there without any other facilities even to sit down to appreciate the moments and to read up the story or history behind this extra-ordinary item.

We are now in the information age and in any famous sites, we would serve all well if we can provide facilities nearby to let tourists and local visitors to be well informed of the history of Sabah as the famous Gaya Street is nearby too.

I think many countries would fully exploit this famed heritage place for the tourism dollars. But the stand alone ACT after climbing up the step could only have some standing spaces.

So how could we find additional facilities nearby to cater for tourists to spend more time there?

The only vacant site where the once Jesselton Recreation Club building (long time demolished/converted for LPPB office) was sited could be built with suitable features possible to be venue/ museum of history to compliment the ACT when the Merdeka Padang where Malaysia was declared or proclaimed in 1963 is a stone throw away.

It would be most suitable that a fair size building not to out do the ACT but to compliment it rather than a proposed building of 18 storeys for hotel and shopping mall as previously approved by the State Government. What would the State Government via LPPB really gain with such a questioned building when the area is most unsuitable for such development in an already much congested zone?  Maybe the area could have more spaces for coaches to bring in the tourists.  Why the area had been locked for such access for decades against public interest? Now it can be converted to a public area for food trucks as many public events are held nearby.

It is indeed very disappointing that the “rumour” of the removal of ACT for the purpose of a new building in case the construction “destroy” the fragile wooden structure of ACT.  LPPB must be warned that what it intends to do is very much against public interest as it was in 2011 /2012 of Court action. 

Coincidentally, I am staying in a housing estate developed by LPPB with some shortcomings.

LPPB should be able to tell us how the “rumour” of ACT has arisen of late? No smoke no fire?

Only the Mayor has come out to deny that new development of “removal” of ACT.

Who can guarantee that 18 storeys would not disturb the base of ACT after 112 years?

Should LPPB surrender the land for heritage purpose/park to be gazetted?

Joshua Y C Kong 15/5/2017