Kota Kinabalu, Saturday, 7 June 2025:
Taman Tun Fuad has been fully closed since 10 December 2022 for upgrading works.
Initially scheduled for completion by 18 September 2024, the project has now been delayed for the third time, with the latest target reopening date set for 14 July 2025. As the former Member of Parliament for Kota Kinabalu (Gaya) and current advisor to Kota Kinabalu City Hall, I am deeply disappointed by the lack of progress in this RM20 million project.
Taman Tun Fuad is an important public space for daily exercise and recreation, attracting more than a thousand visitors each day.
Since the park’s closure, the contractor has had uninterrupted access and ideal conditions to carry out the works, and the project should have been completed on time. These repeated delays are therefore difficult to comprehend.
Notably, ministers and the current MP for Kota Kinabalu, both at the federal and state levels, have publicly committed to the original completion timeline. Yet, the continued postponements inevitably raise questions about internal coordination and execution efficiency.
There were also earlier proposals to implement the upgrades in phases, allowing partial reopening of the park for public use during construction. Unfortunately, these suggestions were not adopted.
This project is funded under the federal Pakatan Harapan government’s budget. The public is entitled to clear explanations and accountability.
I urge Kota Kinabalu City Hall to provide a prompt and transparent update on the current status of the project and the reasons for the delay, as a demonstration of its responsibility to the people.
Datuk Philip Yong
Former KK (Gaya) MP
Advisor to DBKK