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Inauguration 16 March 2011
Inauguration16 March 2011
© The Sabah State Achives
1988
Message from THE RIGHT HONOURABLE CHIEF MINISTER OF SABAH
There is a saying that the character of a city is a reflection of its history, a culmination of the many stories and events that shape it over decades and even centuries. I am pleased that Sabah’s capital Kota Kinabalu, is today joining the ranks of cities worldwide and in Malaysia to further showcase its history to both locals and foreign travellers. The launch of Kota Kinabalu’s newest tourism product is indeed a significant occasion that will add to the character of the city and a building that holds a rich history. The Kilometre Zero, or KM 0 at the Sabah Tourism office is poised to become an important site, and one that is expected to provide tourists with an in-depth learning experience on our history. It is also a starting point for locals to get to know Kota Kinabalu and Sabah a little better. Establishing KM 0 at one of the last remaining pre-war structures in the city enhances the beauty and makeup of Kota Kinabalu, the gateway to Sabah. While Kota Kinabalu was not the original capital of Sabah, its history dates back to the late 1800s, and we hope to share this with visitors and locals. Let KM 0 mark the start of the Heritage Trail for Kota Kinabalu. This move may even lead to us discovering more stories about our city as more people come forward to share their stories or perhaps even items in their collection, left behind by their older family members who may have lived here at one time. Tourism is one of the pillars of Sabah’s economy, and diversifying our products and services are crucial steps in catering for the needs of all types of travellers. Heritage trails have proven to be successful in many parts of the world and even here in Malaysia. The Sabah State Government is confident that there are still many more opportunities to develop more attractions in the State, and we will continue to get views from experts in the tourism sector to encourage the growth of newer and innovative products and services that meet the needs of a range of visitors. The State Government is proud to note that KM 0 places Kota Kinabalu on the world map. I wish to congratulate the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, ISIM and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment for their exemplary vision and achievement in developing this site as a keystone tourism product for Malaysia, and particularly for Sabah.
YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj. Aman
© The Sabah State Achives
Message from MINISTER OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT SABAH
Kilometre Zero for Kota Kinabalu is a great boost and significant effort for the beautification of Kota Kinabalu, especially the historical Sabah Tourism Board office, which was declared opened by the British Government on 16 March 1918, 93 years ago. After almost a century, we mark yet another historical event with the establishment of the KM 0.
Although Sabah’s tourism strength is nature based, visitors are also keen to know our history. Many of these visitors include those who wish to revisit their past and show their families the old Jesselton, which is now a vibrant Kota Kinabalu. That is why it is important that we conserve our historical legacy which defines who we are now.
Lastly, the Ministry is pleased to acknowledge the partnership between The Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM), City Hall and Sabah Tourism Board for this historical day.
Congratulations!
YB Datuk Masidi Manjun
Message from MAYOR OF KOTA KINABALU
The laying of the 0 Kilometre location mark or central point at the Sabah Tourism Board building, would further enhance the heritage value of the former Post Office building and one of the few last buildings that survived the World War II, is indeed commendable.
For this, I must thank the Sabah Tourism Board for supporting this project and the Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM) for initiating the idea and for cooperating with Kota Kinabalu City Hall to make this project a reality.
While we want to see progress in the City, in tandem with its status as a fast developing City, we must create a balance development and try to preserve heritage buildings as reminiscence to our future generations of what the City used to look like.
I believe, the 0 Kilometre mark would be an added advantage to people of Kota Kinabalu City, particularly surveyors.
To all those involved in seeing this project a reality, congratulations and thank you to all of you for creating yet another milestone for Kota Kinabalu City.
THE NATURE RESORT CITY
Datuk Abidin Madingkir
Making HistoryKota Kinabalu now joins many cities around the world as it officially establishes the Kilometre Zero (or KM 0) as a significant marker to measure distances of towns in Sabah. The construction of KM 0 was proposed by The Institution of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM) Sabah Branch in conjunction with the celebration of ISM 50th Anniversary.
The joint partnership between ISM, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and Sabah Tourism Board is made even more special on 16 March 2011, exactly 95 years since the opening of the Pre-War Old Post Office Building built during the British occupation. Almost a decade later, its humble surroundings now developed into a business area at the famed Gaya Street and presently houses the Sabah Tourism Board office.
The establishment of KM 0 at the area was gazzetted under the Federal Road Act 1959 - Federal Road Order (Sabah) 1996, First schedule, Subparagraph 2(1) (a) as stated below:
2(1)(a) Kota Kinabalu-Kudat Road (Route 1) From Kota Kinabalu Post Office at 0 Kilometre to Kota Kinabalu-Sindumin Road passing through Tuaran Road, Tamparuli, Kota Belud, Langkon to Kudat at 192.69 Kilometre.
The proposal was well received by the City Hall and a committee was formed to implement the project. The design for KM 0 was prepared by the City Hall’s Landscape Department while the construction costs and maintenance were fully borne by Sabah Tourism Board.
In many countries, Kilometre Zero (also written km 0) or similar terms in other languages, is a particular location (often in the nation’s capital city), from which distances are traditionally measured. A similar notion also exists for individual roads (that is, all locations on the road have a number, depending on their distance from that location), and for individual cities (often the city’s central post office is used for this). The most famous such marker of which any part survives from ancient times is the Milliarium Aureum (“Golden Milestone”) of the Roman Empire, believed to be the literal origin for the maxim that “all roads lead to Rome.”
© melvinho
Stages of DevelopmentThe 0 KM plaque was designed to be uniquely Sabah with the illustration of Mt. Kinabalu on top and the official flower of Kota Kinabalu, the Borneo Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis). The motif surrounding the design is called the Nantapuan – one of the many ancient designs from the Murut community signifying ‘a meeting place’. The Nantapuan details are carefully engraved in granite, while the rest of the plaque is made of bronze.
The plaque also includes the four cardinal points of North, South, East and West.
On 28 February 2011 a simple ground breaking ceremony was held at the compound. Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, YB Datuk Masidi Manjun officiated the ground breaking witnessed by comittee members of the project.
On 16 March 2011, the Chief Minister of Sabah, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Hj Aman officially launched the Kilometre Zero for Kota Kinabalu.
© The Sabah State Achives
AcknowledgementsAdvisorsDatuk Abidin MadingkirMayor of Kota Kinabalu
YM Dato’ Seri Tengku Zainal AdlinChairman, Sabah Tourism Board
Datuk Irene Benggon CharuruksGeneral Manager, Sabah Tourism Board Organizing ChairpersonLifred WongKota Kinabalu City Hall
SecretaryAbby Mae JoeKota Kinabalu City Hall
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Kota Kinabalu City HallBenjamin KohChief Insp. Fohny GarampangPoon Chee KongSaiman AnggakYiu Yat MingElizabeth BorubuiAnne PaulusDarna BadawiNataliea SuliminWalter J. Kenson Land & Survey DepartmentRobert Cheng
Sabah Tourism BoardAllen ChiaBaizurawani Richard
The Institute of Surveyors MalaysiaSr. Rosalyn WongChew Yon Nor
Public WorksDepartmentRoger Komilus
1953© Nicholas K. M. Tan
1916Construction of the building began. It was designed and supervised by Mr. J. W. Norman, a Colonial Executive Engineer (attached to the PWD). The building was built specifically to house the Printing Office, which moved in February, 1918 from Sandakan.
191816th March, 1918, Governer A. C. Pearson formally opened the building.
1936The building was renovated to accomodate offices of the Treasury, Audit, Bank Agency and Post Office.
1945The building suffered some damge during the Alied Bombing raids but fortunately it was one of only three structures left standing in town following the raids.
After World War II, the building accommodated five offices: the Posts and telecommunications, the Treasury, the Resident Office, the District Office and the Attorney General Office.
1950’sExcept for the Post Office, the other officers moved out, when other buildings became available.
1968The Posts and Telegraphs Department which merged in 1951 became two separate departments and the Postal Department took over the whole building for the Kota Kinabalu Post Office.
198615th September, 1986, the Postal Department moved to its new premises in Jalan Tun Razak.
198716th June, 1987, the State Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Development took over the building.
198813th July, 1988, the building was gazetted as a Historical Building by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and was placed in the care of the Sabah Museum and State Archives Department.
198920th November, 1989, Restoration of the building began.
199119th January, 1991, the building was officially reopened by the then Sabah Chief Minister, Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, housing the Sabah Tourism Promotion Corporation office.
51 Jalan Gaya
The History
© melvinho
The Atkinson Clock Tower
1957
© The Sabah State Achives
© The Sabah State Achives
the three structures that survived the War.
The Old Post Office building officially opened on 16 March 1918 - 93 years ago.
The Social Welfare Department building. before it was razed by fire on the morning of December 31st 1992.
© The Sabah State Achives
© The Sabah State Achives
the three structures that survived the War.
2011
© Pein Lee / STB
www.sabahtourism.com
Designed by: Melvin Ho Graphics | Produced by: Communications Division Sabah Tourism Board (March 2011)
© melvinho
