KUNAK: The Kunak Community Hall in the town is being demolished after a study by the Public Works Department (JKR) found it no longer safe to occupy.
The community hall building has not been used for the past few years for any activities or programmes.
Kunak District Council Executive Officer Mohd Nazri Pintal said the demolition process began in April where structural isolation work included the removal of the roof.
“The demolition process is currently still ongoing. The public are advised not to approach the area if they see machinery operating in the area.
“JKR has confirmed that the hall building is no longer safe to occupy even though there had been several renovations to the damaged structure,” he told the Daily Express.
According to District Council records, Nazri said the Kunak Community Hall building was inaugurated in 1992.
“It is quite old and has gone through many repair or renovation processes,” he explained.
The Community Hall was then named the Sri Kunak Community Hall.
Many State and Federal programmes have been implemented in the building for over 30 years.
Among important annual events held there included the district level Maulidur Rasul, Maal Hijrah and Kaamatan celebrations as well as al-Quran recitation ceremonies.
It has also been used for sports activities such as badminton, table tennis, taekwondo and silat, among others.
It is understood that the Kunak Community Hall building was built when Parti Berjaya ruled the state.
The building was inaugurated during the Parti Bersatu Sabah Government in 1992.
Due to the fact that the hall is currently not in use and is closed off for the demolition process, the venue for government agency programs will be held at either the Youth Arena Hall (KBS) or certain school halls depending on the readiness of organisers.
