Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) is facing calls to open its newly launched tourism jetty for public use to address the safety concerns of Pulau Gaya residents. Tanjung Aru Assemblyman Datuk Junz Wong stated that the current facilities used by islanders for their daily commute are ageing, wet, and increasingly hazardous. He highlighted that many residents are forced to navigate these unsafe conditions every day to reach the city for work and essential services.
In a recent statement, Wong revealed he has received a surge of complaints from the local community regarding the deteriorating infrastructure. The assemblyman emphasised that the current state of the jetties poses significant risks, particularly to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and women. He argued that subjecting citizens to such dangers while they strive to earn a living is unacceptable for a modern city like Kota Kinabalu.
The dispute centres on the new DBKK Tourist Jetty under DBKK Holdings, which boasts modern and comfortable facilities but is strictly reserved for tourism activities. Wong questioned the necessity of restricting the site, noting that the existing Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal already caters to the tourism sector. He challenged the rationale behind maintaining two exclusive tourism hubs while local residents are left to depend on substandard and dangerous platforms.
Further concerns were raised regarding the jetty’s role in emergency situations, such as urgent medical evacuations or the transportation of the deceased from the island. Wong stressed that access to a safe and well-managed jetty is a basic necessity rather than a luxury, especially when lives are at stake. He proposed that the new facility be integrated into the daily commuting and emergency framework to serve the broader needs of the Pulau Gaya population.
Wong concluded by calling on DBKK to give the matter immediate and serious consideration to ensure that public safety is prioritised over exclusive commercial interests. He argued that essential facilities should be accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their status as tourists or locals. By opening the new jetty to the public, the city could significantly improve the quality of life and safety standards for the thousands of people who call Pulau Gaya home.
