KK botanical garden to be taken care by villagers from nearby settlement

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who also oversees Kota Kinabalu City Hall, presenting appointment letters to one of the DBKK Botanical Village Management Committee members while Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Sri Sabin Samitah (left) and DBKK Director-General Datuk Lifred Wong (right) looks on.

KOTA KINABALU, 11 February 2026: A settlement of about 150 houses near the Tun Fuad Stephens Botanical Park in Bukit Padang will be managed and developed as a Botanical Village under Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK).

Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said the initiative reflects DBKK’s commitment to transforming the area into a sustainable tourism attraction within the city.

“The land belongs to DBKK, while the houses there belong to local Sabahans.

“Those who have houses there will be allowed to remain, but they must adhere to the development guidelines set by DBKK,” he said at the presentation ceremony for the appointment letters of the DBKK Botanical Village Management Committee here, today.

Also present were Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Sri Dr Sabin Samitah, DBKK Director-General Datuk Lifred Wong and senior DBKK officials.

Joniston, whose portfolio includes overseeing DBKK, said the formation of the management committee is a key step towards ensuring proper planning and community participation in the development of the area.

He added the area has strong potential to support Kota Kinabalu’s green city agenda while contributing to a more structured urban eco-tourism offering under the Community-based Tourism (CoBT) concept.

“The Botanical Village would serve as an eco-tourism attraction within the city, which is part of DBKK’s comprehensive plan to develop more tourism products in Kota Kinabalu,” he said, adding it would empower residents to be active stakeholders in preserving the environment.

Joniston added that with Kota Kinabalu poised to attract more cruise ships, as well as tourists who spend short stays in the city, there is a need to provide more tourism products within the city itself.

“We must ensure there are suitable attractions for visitors, even if they are only here for a brief period,” he said.