KOTA KINABALU: The residents of Austral Park express their growing anxiety and frustration over the ongoing multi-storey development at the 88‑Market area.
The project, approved by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) despite strong public objections, has already caused serious damage to our houses.
At least 32 houses now suffer from cracks, sinking land, and damaged compounds. Public roads have also sunk, leaving their neighbourhood looking as if it was struck by an earthquake.
One resident, Ronald Cooke, explained: “I cannot roll open or close my gate. It is damaged by the sinking of the land around our residence.
“My gates are now just left open, and I worry constantly for safety of my home,” said Cooke.
He said the problems faced by the residents especially fronting the massive ongoing development was not isolated or restricted to one or two houses.
Many houses have been impacted constant vibrations during the piling works and are constantly disturbed by “first day light to late night” works being carried out without consideration for the people during weekends or holidays.
Residents have repeatedly lodged complaints with DBKK since the project began, warning of structural risks and demanding action.
Yet DBKK has left responsibility to the developer and contractors, who have only carried out patch‑work repairs at the affected houses.
DBKK occasionally- once in six months- hold briefings for residents but it is just amount to talk without any real action taken to resolve our problem.
“I think it’s time for the Mayor Datuk Sabin Samitah to be more hands-on with the ratepayers problems. The DBKK approved the project despite objections and protest that it is being developed on a recreational land reserve.
“Now we are facing the brunt of the problems from the development, why are you not coming out to check and see for yourself the problems faced by your ratepayers.
“We don’t want to hear more and more talk of the contractor sorting it out. The contractor did not approve the project, he is only trying to get away with patch work. As Mayor and the head of DBKK, it is your responsibility to resolve our problems and not push the buck back to the contactor,” Cooke said.
The residents observed that DBKK is seen efficient in carrying out its duties especially in issuing summons and towing cars but lamented that it has failed to act decisively against the developer whose project is damaging their homes.
This issues facing the state government has also been highlighted in Sabah State Assembly by Tanjung Aru assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong.
But, sadly the state government did not respond to the issues neither in the Assembly or in written replies.
To the residents, DBKK approved a development that should never have been allowed, and now appears to wash its hands of the consequences to its ratepayers.
“We call on DBKK and Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah to take immediate, hands‑on responsibility for resolving this crisis, enforce accountability on the developer, and ensure the welfare and safety of Austral Park residents,” he said.
