Kota Kinabalu: The Atkinson Clock Tower, which has stood for over a century, has been officially opened to tourists and visitors ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 after undergoing a RM11.96 million beautification development.
City Hall Mayor Dato’ Sri Dr Sabin Samitah said the enhancements were aimed at preserving the city’s historical heritage while adding recreational, educational, and tourism value.
The key project components included landscaping, seating upgrades, a new lighting system, and the installation of CCTV along the tree-top walkway, said Dr Sabin when officiating the 13.7-metre Atkinson Clock Tower at its site here.
The Atkinson Clock Tower, which has witnessed the city’s history and development for more than a century, was built in 1905 to commemorate Francis George Atkinson, the first District Officer of Jesselton, who passed away on December 6, 1902, due to malaria.
Other features included the construction of retaining walls and a drainage system to mitigate soil erosion risks, improvements to public facilities such as toilets, signage, and OKU-friendly (accessible) amenities, as well as the construction of a 500-metre tree-top walkway connecting the Atkinson Clock Tower to the Signal Hill Observatory Tower.
The remaining works involved repair and upgrading at the Signal Hill Observatory Tower, focusing on safety, lighting, and visitor accessibility, as well as the upgrading of fencing and lighting throughout the tower site, he said.
The beautification project was carried out in conjunction with the 120th anniversary of the Atkinson Clock Tower this year, he added.
He said City Hall, with the support of the Ministry of Economy through the Sabah Development Corridor under the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia), completed the beautification project on September 13, 2025.
“This effort reflects our commitment to preserving invaluable heritage while developing urban infrastructure that is more modern, comfortable, and beneficial to both city residents and visitors,” he said.
He said the project also faced several challenges during its implementation, including work stoppages during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The implementation also had to deal with incidents of soil erosion and the termination and replacement of the previous consultancy team, which required technical adjustments to ensure project continuity, he added.
Given the strategic location of the project site in the city centre, he said it also drew wide public attention, particularly on social media, especially concerning tree conservation, slope management, and heritage aesthetics.
He emphasised that City Hall had ensured all works were carried out with utmost care and in accordance with engineering standards, while prioritising environmental conservation and heritage preservation.
Public feedback and concerns were carefully considered, as the objective had always been clear — to restore and enhance the area without compromising the integrity of the historic tower, he said.
He also thanked the Ministry of Economy, Sedia, the consultants, contractors, relevant agencies, and all parties for their commitment and cooperation towards the success of the project.
Also present were Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai, Sedia Chief Executive Datuk Seri Hashim Paijan, and City Hall Director General Datuk Lifred Wong.
