Kota Kinabalu Mayor’s Unresponsiveness and Alleged Misconduct Amplify Concerns Over Urban Governance in Malaysia

 

Recent developments in Malaysia’s urban governance have sparked widespread concern, with the Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, facing scrutiny for failing to respond to critical emails and address allegations of misconduct within Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK). These issues echo broader criticisms of municipal leadership, as highlighted in a Focus Malaysia article on August 8, 2025, which exposed the excessive powers granted to the Kuala Lumpur mayor under the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Planning Rules 2025. Together, these cases underscore a troubling trend of unaccountability and lack of transparency in Malaysia’s urban centers.

In Kota Kinabalu, I have repeatedly raised concerns about DBKK’s handling of urban planning and safety issues, only to be met with silence from the mayor’s office. In an email dated July 1, 2025, I expressed “profound dissatisfaction” over DBKK’s inaction regarding illegal driveway extensions onto public roads, specifically at House S2a and S11 in Vistana Heights. Despite reporting the issue to DBKK in February 2023 and raising it directly with the Director General  during a May 5, 2025, meeting, no action has been taken. I highlighted that these unauthorized extensions pose a “serious hazard to road users,” compromising public safety. I demanded clarification on whether DBKK has sanctioned new regulations permitting such extensions and questioned why existing regulations have not been enforced. I also challenged the director general's claim that platform heights of houses were not adjusted due to rocky terrain, calling it an inadequate excuse for non-compliance with the original development plan.

Further compounding these concerns, my email on July 10, 2025, raised alarms about landslide risks and structural issues in Vistana Heights, including cracks behind house no. 5 that require frequent patching. I criticized the DG for dismissing these concerns without evidence or formal response, suggesting potential negligence in the 2018 development plan approval process, which reportedly failed to mandate a retaining wall despite known landslide risks. My July 23, 2025, email escalated the issue, questioning the approval of the Vistana Heights Occupancy Certificate amid allegations of fabricated as-built surveys and development plans. Drawing on the mayor’s prior role as Director-General of the National Financial Crime Prevention Centre (NFCC), I urged an investigation into these irregularities, emphasizing the need for transparency to restore public trust in DBKK’s governance.

My August 5, 2025, email further alleged that the DG altered minutes of meetings, a serious accusation that remains unaddressed by the mayor. I also pointed to a delayed investigation by the Sabah Surveyors Board into a potentially fabricated as-built survey, noting a lack of transparency in withholding spot level survey data and unresolved queries about on-site data reconciliation. These issues, combined with discrepancies over DBKK’s jurisdiction and inaction on critical safety concerns, reflect systemic inefficiencies and a lack of accountability within Kota Kinabalu’s governance structures.

Parallels can be drawn with Kuala Lumpur, where human rights activist Siti Kasim has criticized the mayor’s unchecked authority to approve developments without mandatory public consultation, as stipulated in the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982 amendment gazetted on June 13, 2025. Siti Kasim decried the lack of engagement with residents, citing deteriorating urban conditions like traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure. Similarly, in Kota Kinabalu, the mayor’s failure to respond to my emails and address allegations against the DG suggests a disregard for public input and accountability, exacerbating concerns about urban governance.

Siti Kasim’s call for residents to “make a fuss” and hold authorities accountable resonates strongly in Kota Kinabalu, where my unanswered emails reflect a broader pattern of unresponsiveness. Both cases highlight the need for transparent, inclusive governance to address urban challenges like safety hazards, unregulated development, and eroded public trust. As I warned in my July 1 email, continued inaction may compel escalation to higher authorities and the press, signaling growing public frustration. Until Malaysia’s local authorities adopt proactive engagement and rigorous oversight, residents in both cities will continue to bear the consequences of opaque decision-making and unaddressed misconduct.