Kota Kinabalu: City Hall (DBKK) is pursuing a new financial model to reduce reliance on traditional revenue sources while accelerating the Smart City agenda.
Mayor Datuk Dr Sabin Samitah said DBKK could no longer depend solely on assessment rates, business licences and rental income to finance services and future development.
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“If we want to manage a city in the 21st century, we cannot continue using a financial model designed for the 20th century,” he said after officiating the KK Greenovation Carnival 2026 at Padang Merdeka.
Sabin said one of the key initiatives under the new financial model is the expansion of AI-powered closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras across the city.
He said the cameras, linked to DBKK’s command centre, would be able to detect movement and sound, operate in low-light conditions and capture images to help deter crime and vandalism.
The system would also enable faster responses to incidents. For example, if an area becomes overcrowded, enforcement officers can be deployed immediately to assist.
“We can also adjust traffic light timings remotely, making the signal cycle shorter or longer depending on traffic conditions.
“This will help keep traffic under control while enabling us to deliver services more efficiently.
“Instead of waiting for the public to report that a traffic light has been faulty for three days, we can detect the problem and respond much earlier,” he said.
Sabin said the technology would help reduce cable theft and damage to government assets, lowering maintenance and replacement costs.
He said data collected through the Smart City system could also generate new revenue through advertising and data-sharing partnerships.
Earlier, Sabin said the carnival, organised under the Urban Community Sustainability Programme with funding from the Housing and Local Government Ministry, aims to strengthen community participation in building a sustainable and innovative city.
He said DBKK could not develop and manage Kota Kinabalu alone and community support was essential in maintaining public facilities, preserving green spaces and keeping the city clean.
Sabin also thanked Bank Muamalat, schools and members of the KK Smart City Friends programme for supporting the initiative.
He said the KK Smart City Friends network has about 6,000 members who help channel information and report damage and other issues across the city.
He said the carnival provides an effective way to educate the community through direct participation and hands-on experience.
Activities such as the Green Footprint tree planting programme, green technology exhibitions, Internet of Things (IoT) demonstrations, the Green Footprint TikTok Challenge, Green Tech Explorer, colouring competitions, the AI Jingle Competition and various educational workshops give people of all ages the opportunity to better understand and appreciate the role of innovation in everyday life.
“All these activities convey an important message — environmental conservation begins with consistent action,” he said.
He hoped the carnival would serve as a catalyst for more initiatives centred on research, innovation and green technology that would continue to benefit the community.
