Tun Fuad Stephens Park to become botanical garden

KOTA KINABALU – The Sabah government has confirmed that the iconic Tun Fuad Stephens Park in the state capital will be closed for redevelopment, with the project costing RM20 million to be undertaken by the federal government.

Datuk Abidin Madingkir, an assistant minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, said the park will be known as Tun Fuad Stephens Botanical Garden when completed.

The project will come under the supervision of the National Landscape Department. It is expected to be completed by September 14, 2024.  

Some 17.86ha will be upgraded around the area where the present jogging track and the man-made lake are located. 

“The construction project will take close to two years, and the park will be closed from December 10 this year until December 18, 2024,” he said during his winding-up speech at the state assembly here today. 

Madingkir was responding to a question by Phoong Jin Zhe (Luyang-DAP), who claimed that numerous residents have expressed concern to him that the park would be commercialised once completed. 

The Vibes had earlier reported on the closure of the recreational park. 

Madingkir said the appointment of contractors has been made at the federal level and physical work will commence as soon as the recreation park is closed. 

He said that other than the upgrades to the jogging track and the lake, which will be maintained, new sitting areas and lights will be installed, and a floating platform will be built at the lake.

A  e-hailing stop, as well as a new arch, information board, administrative and research office, and guardhouse will be included in the project. 

Madingkir said the number of parking bays would also be increased for the convenience of visitors. 

He said the new botanical garden would include features like a ginger garden, an orchid and nepenthes conservatory, an exotic trees garden, herbal garden, bamboo corner, and botany playpark.

Madingkir expressed optimism that the new park would be one of Sabah’s main attractions once completed. – The Vibes, November 30, 2022