By Ts Dr. Hj Ramli Amir, former President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia and Vice-President of CILT International for Southeast Asia
KOTA KINABALU stands at a pivotal moment in its development trajectory. As a burgeoning tourist destination and the gateway to Sabah’s tourism industry, the city is primed for significant socio-economic growth. However, to fully capitalise on its potential and address the challenges of rapid urbanisation, it may be time to consider the creation of a Greater Kota Kinabalu as an autonomous region. This expanded metropolitan area could serve as a powerful engine for regional growth and innovation, positioning Sabah more competitively on both national and international stages. The Case for Greater Kota Kinabalu is compelling.
Economic Growth and Competitiveness
A larger, integrated metropolitan area could substantially enhance Kota Kinabalu’s competitiveness. By expanding its boundaries and consolidating resources, Greater KK would be better positioned to compete with other major urban centres in Malaysia and Southeast Asia for investments, talent, and economic opportunities. The increased scale and economic integration could help attract more foreign direct investment, boosting overall economic growth. The creation of a Greater KK could also lead to the development of new economic clusters, particularly in high-value sectors such as technology, finance, and advanced manufacturing. This diversification would reduce the region’s reliance on tourism and natural resources, creating a more resilient and sustainable economy.
Improved Infrastructure and Public Services
A unified Greater KK would enable more coordinated and efficient development of infrastructure and public services across the metropolitan area. This could include improved transportation networks, better waste management systems, and more equitable distribution of healthcare and educational facilities. By pooling resources and planning on a larger scale, the region could invest in major infrastructure projects that might be beyond the reach of individual municipalities. This could include the development of a comprehensive public transportation system, including light rail or bus rapid transit, which would alleviate traffic congestion and improve mobility across the region.
Urban Planning and Sustainable Development
Creating a Greater KK would allow for more cohesive urban planning and development across the region. This could help address pressing issues such as urban sprawl, environmental sustainability, and the efficient use of land resources. A larger planning area would enable the implementation of smart growth strategies, preserving green spaces while concentrating development in appropriate areas. Moreover, a unified approach to urban planning could lead to the creation of more liveable communities, with mixed-use developments that reduce commute times and enhance quality of life. It could also facilitate the implementation of sustainable practices on a larger scale, such as integrated waste management and renewable energy initiatives.
Leveraging Economies of Agglomeration
By integrating multiple districts, Greater KK could benefit significantly from economies of agglomeration. This includes lower transportation costs due to proximity, development of larger local markets, increased labour market pooling, and enhanced knowledge spillovers between businesses. The concentration of businesses and talent in a larger metropolitan area could foster innovation and productivity growth. It could also create a more dynamic labour market, offering workers a wider range of job opportunities and businesses access to a larger, more diverse talent pool.
Enhanced Tourism Development
While Kota Kinabalu is already a popular tourist destination, a larger, more integrated metropolitan area could develop a more comprehensive and coordinated tourism strategy. This could include better promotion of diverse attractions across the metropolitan area and improved tourism infrastructure. A Greater KK could offer a more diverse range of experiences to visitors, from urban attractions to natural wonders, all within a well-connected region. This could increase the average length of stay for tourists and boost tourism revenues across the region.
Population Growth Management
With the population of Kota Kinabalu projected to reach nearly one million by 2020, a Greater KK framework could help manage this growth more effectively, ensuring balanced development across the region. It could enable more strategic planning for housing, services, and infrastructure to accommodate this growth sustainably.
Increased Political and Economic Clout
A larger consolidated metropolitan area would likely have more political and economic influence to secure development funding from state and federal sources. This increased clout could translate into more resources for major projects and initiatives that benefit the entire region.
Innovation and Knowledge Economy
A larger metropolitan area could create a more robust environment for innovation and knowledge exchange. This could potentially lead to the development of new economic clusters and attract more skilled professionals. Greater KK could become a hub for research and development, fostering collaboration between universities, businesses, and government agencies.
Addressing Shared Challenges
Issues like traffic congestion, housing affordability, and environmental management are common across these areas and could potentially benefit from a coordinated approach under a Greater KK framework. By addressing these challenges collectively, the region could develop more effective and efficient solutions.
Strategic Positioning
Given Sabah’s strategic location in Southeast Asia and ongoing geopolitical shifts, creating a Greater KK could help position the region to better capitalise on emerging economic opportunities, such as changes in global supply chains. It could become a key node in regional trade networks, leveraging its strategic position between East Asia and the rest of Southeast Asia.
Potential Challenges and Considerations
While the benefits of creating a Greater Kota Kinabalu are compelling, there are significant challenges that must be addressed such as loss of local autonomy where smaller municipalities may resist losing their independent decision-making power. It’s crucial to design a governance structure that balances regional coordination with local representation.
Merging different municipal structures, regulations, and service levels can be complex and costly. A phased approach to integration may be necessary. Some studies show municipal mergers can lead to higher costs, at least initially. Careful financial planning and management will be essential.
There is a need in ensuring fair representation for all areas in a larger merged entity can be challenging. The governance structure must be designed to give voice to all communities within the metropolitan area. Different communities may resist losing their distinct identities in a merger. Efforts must be made to preserve and celebrate local cultures within the larger metropolitan framework.
Implementation Considerations
To successfully create a Greater Kota Kinabalu, several key considerations should guide the implementation process such as doing it as phased approach considering a gradual implementation or two-tier structure to ease the transition. This could involve starting with shared services or specific policy areas before full integration.
Extensive consultation with affected municipalities, citizens, businesses, and civil society organisations will be crucial. This will help build consensus and address concerns early in the process.
A clearly defined specific goals for the merger, such as improved service delivery or economic development. These should be measurable and time-bound to track progress. Ensuring proper legal mechanisms are in place at the state level to enable and regulate such a merger. This may require changes to existing laws or the creation of new legislation.
A clear metrics must be established to evaluate the success of the merger over time. Regular assessments can help identify areas for improvement and demonstrate the benefits of the merger to stakeholders.
Incorporating smart city planning and digital transformation as part of the merger process to enhance urban services and governance is an opportunity not to be missed. This could include the implementation of data-driven decision-making processes and the use of technology to improve service delivery.
Overview
The creation of a Greater Kota Kinabalu presents a transformative opportunity for Sabah. By consolidating resources, coordinating planning, and leveraging economies of scale, this expanded metropolitan area could become a powerful engine for regional growth and innovation. It could enhance the region’s competitiveness, improve quality of life for residents, and position Sabah more prominently on the global stage.
Ultimately, the success of Greater Kota Kinabalu will depend on its ability to balance regional coordination with local autonomy, to preserve the unique identities of its constituent communities while fostering a shared vision for the future. If implemented thoughtfully, Greater KK could serve as a model for sustainable urban development in Southeast Asia, demonstrating how regional integration can drive economic growth, improve public services, and enhance quality of life for all residents.
