Kota Kinabalu

{{for-multi|the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat|Kota Kinabalu (federal constituency)|the former British cargo ship|SS Jesselton Bay}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Kota Kinabalu | other_name = | settlement_type = State capital city and district capital | official_name = City of Kota Kinabalu <div style="padding-top:0.25em;">{{nobold|{{native name|ms|Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu}}}}</div> | nicknames = KK, Nature Resort City | motto = | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 300 | image_style = border:1; | perrow = 1/3/2/2 | image1 = Panoramic view of Kota Kinabalu City.jpg | caption1 = Kota Kinabalu Skyline | image2 = Bird's Eye View Of Wawasan, Kota Kinabalu.jpg | caption2 = Wawasan Intersection | image3 = Tun Mustapha Tower in Kinabalu.jpg | caption3 = Sabah Tower | image4 = Coconut trees Kota Kinabalu.JPG | caption4 = Kota Kinabalu Coastal Highway | image5 = KotaKinabalu Sabah CityMosque-00.jpg | caption5 = The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque | width5 = 150 | height5 = 90 | image6 = KotaKinabalu Sabah Wisma-Tun-Fuad-Stephens-01.jpg | caption6 = The Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens building | image7 = Swordfish and I Love KK Statue.jpg | caption7 = Marlin | image8 = Gaya Street Chinese New Year Lanterns.jpg | caption8 = Gaya Street during Chinese New Year. | width8 = 160 | height8 = 100 }} | image_flag = Flag of Kota Kinabalu.svg | image_seal = Seal of Kota Kinabalu.svg | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 10 | mapframe-marker = city | map_caption = Location of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah | pushpin_map = #Malaysia Sabah#Malaysia municipalities#Southeast Asia#Asia | pushpin_mapsize = 275px | pushpin_map_caption = {{Legend inline|#800000|outline=black}} '''Kota Kinabalu''' in {{Legend inline|#FEFEEF|outline=black}} '''Sabah''' | coordinates = {{coord|05|58|30|N|116|04|21|E|region:MY|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name = {{flag|Malaysia}} | subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Sabah}} | subdivision_type2 = Division | subdivision_name2 = West Coast | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = Kota Kinabalu | established_title = Bruneian Empire | established_date = 15th–18th century | established_title1 = Settled and established by NBCC | established_date1 = 1899 | established_title2 = Declared as capital | established_date2 = 1946 | established_title3 = Municipality status | established_date3 = 1 January 1979 | established_title4 = City status | established_date4 = 2 February 2000 | government_type = City council | governing_body = Kota Kinabalu City Hall | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Sabin Samitah {{small|(since 1 January 2024)}} | leader_title1 = MP | leader_name1 = Wilfred Madius Tangau (UPKO) (Tuaran) {{small|(since 5 May 2013)}} Mustapha Sakmud (PKR) (Sepanggar) {{small|(since 19 November 2022)}} Chan Foong Hin (DAP) (Kota Kinabalu) {{small|(since 9 May 2018)}} Shahelmey Yahya (UMNO) (Putatan) {{small|(since 19 November 2022)}} Ewon Benedick (UPKO) (Penampang) {{small|(since 19 November 2022)}} | area_total_sq_mi = 136 | area_total_km2 = 351 | area_urban_km2 = 816 | area_metro_km2 = 3,277 | population_as_of = 2024 | population_total = 601,000<ref>{{cite web | title = Kota Kinabalu's population since 2023-2024.| url=https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/21807/kota-kinabalu/population#:~:text=The%20current%20metro%20area%20population,a%202.31%25%20increase%20from%202021. | accessdate = 3 April 2024}}</ref> | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi =  | population_urban = | population_metro = 731406 | population_blank1_title = Demonym | population_blank1 = Orang KK / K.K-ites / K.K-ians | population_note = <ref name="ReferenceA">Dept. of Statistics Malaysia (web).</ref> | timezone = MST | utc_offset = +8 | elevation_m = 5 | elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.floodmap.net/elevation/ElevationMap/?gi=1732752|title=Malaysia Elevation Map (Elevation of Kota Kinabalu)|publisher=Flood Map : Water Level Elevation Map|access-date=22 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822154444/http://www.floodmap.net/elevation/ElevationMap/?gi=1733432|archive-date=22 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | postal_code_type = Postal code | postal_code = 88xxx; 89xxx | blank_name = Area code(s) | blank_info = 088, 087 | blank1_name = Vehicle registration | blank1_info = EJ, EJA, EJB (1967–1980)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brumby|first1=Victor|title=May 1 MALAYSIA UPDATE and NOTES ON SUFFIXES|url=http://blog.europlate.org.uk/category/sabah/|publisher=European Registration Plate Association (Europlate) blog|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210135508/http://blog.europlate.org.uk/category/sabah/|archive-date=10 December 2015|date=1 May 2014|quote=About 1967, they added E as a prefix for new registrations in Sabah (for East Malaysia) (about 1967). and at unknown later date, added an S suffix to existing plates.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Malaysia license plates|url=http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/AS_MALA.html|website=wordllicenseplates.com|access-date=10 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418004433/http://www.worldlicenseplates.com/world/AS_MALA.html|archive-date=18 April 2015}}</ref> SA/SAA/SAB/SAC (1980–2018) SY (2018-2023) SJ (2023–present) | website = {{URL|dbkk.sabah.gov.my/}} | footnotes = }}

'''Kota Kinabalu''' ({{IPA|zsm|ˈkota kinaˈbalu|lang}}; formerly known as '''Jesselton'''), colloquially referred to as '''KK''', is the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia. It is also the capital of the Kota Kinabalu District as well as the West Coast Division of Sabah. The city is located on the northwest coast of Borneo facing the South China Sea. The Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park<ref name=bk1/> lies to its west and Mount Kinabalu, which gave the city its name, is located to its east. Kota Kinabalu has a population of 452,058 according to the 2010 census;<ref name="st1">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/population/03ringkasan_kawasan_PBT_Jadual1.pdf|title=Population Distribution by Local Authority Areas and Mukims, 2010 (page 1 & 8)|publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia|access-date=10 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205090002/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/population/03ringkasan_kawasan_PBT_Jadual1.pdf|archive-date=5 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> when the adjacent Penampang and Tuaran districts are included, the metro area has a combined population of 628,725.<ref name=st1/> The 2020 Census revealed an increase in the municipal population to 500,421, while the wider area including the Penampang and Putatan districts had a population of 731,406.<ref name="ReferenceA">Dept. of Statistics Malaysia (web).</ref>

Historically, the Kadazandusuns called the area by the name of Dondoung.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://incubator.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wp/dtp/Sabah|title=Kadazandusun Wikimedia Incubator Article (in Kadazandusun)|access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref> In the 15th century, the area of Kota Kinabalu was under the influence of Bruneian Empire. In the 19th century, the British North Borneo Chartered Company (NBCC) first set up a settlement near the Gaya Island. However, it was destroyed by fire in 1897 by a local leader named Mat Salleh. In July 1899, the place located opposite to the Gaya Island was identified as a suitable place for settlements. Development in the area was started soon after that; and the place was named "Api-api" before it was renamed after Sir Charles Jessel, the vice-chairman of NBCC, as "Jesselton". Jesselton became a major trading port in the area, and was connected to the North Borneo Railway. Jesselton was largely destroyed during World War II. The Japanese occupation of Jesselton provoked several local uprisings notably the Jesselton Revolt but they were eventually defeated by the Japanese. After the war, NBCC was unable to finance the high cost of reconstructions and the place was ceded to the British Crown Colony. The British Crown declared Jesselton as the new capital of North Borneo in 1946 and started to rebuild the town. After the formation of Malaysia, North Borneo was renamed as Sabah. In 1967, Jesselton was renamed as Kota Kinabalu, Kota being the Malay word for City and Kinabalu after the nearby Mount Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu was granted city status in 2000.

Kota Kinabalu is often known as '''KK''' both in Malaysia and internationally. It is a major tourist destination and a gateway for travellers visiting Sabah and Borneo.<ref name="kk1">{{cite news|url=http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0225&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Sabah_%26_Sarawak&pg=wb_01.htm |title=Dari Jesselton ke Kota Kinabalu |trans-title=From Jesselton to Kota Kinabalu |author=Junaidi Ladjana |language=ms |newspaper=Utusan Malaysia |date=25 February 2010 |access-date=19 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055157/http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0225&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Sabah_%26_Sarawak&pg=wb_01.htm |archive-date=21 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="tourism">{{cite news|url=http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/11/business/17978745&sec=business |title=Tourism hub set to lift Sabah real estate |work=The Star |date=11 June 2007 |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030103229/http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/11/business/17978745&sec=business |archive-date=30 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kinabalu Park is located about 90 kilometres from the city and there are many other tourist attractions in and around the city. Kota Kinabalu is also one of the major industrial and commercial centres of East Malaysia. These two factors combine to make Kota Kinabalu one of the fastest-growing cities in Malaysia.<ref name="rapid">{{cite news|title=Rapid development in Kota Kinabalu has its drawbacks |author=Muguntan Vanar |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2010/09/20/rapid-development-in-kota-kinabalu-has-its-drawbacks |date=20 September 2010 |access-date=3 January 2011 |work=The Star }}</ref>

==Etymology== left|thumb|200px|"Kina Balu from Pinokok Valley" – lithograph published in 1862. Kota Kinabalu is named after Mount Kinabalu, which is situated about 50 kilometres east-northeast of the city. ''Kinabalu'' is derived from the name {{Lang|dtp|Aki Nabalu}} meaning the 'revered place of the dead'. {{Lang|dtp|Aki}} means 'ancestors' or 'grandfather', and {{Lang|dtp|Nabalu}} is a name for the mountain in the Dusun language.<ref>{{cite book |author=Tamara Thiessen |title=Borneo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g9sj_FMSMu8C&pg=PA155 |year=2008 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-252-1 |pages=155– }}</ref> There is also a source claiming that the term originated from {{Lang|und|Ki Nabalu}}, {{Lang|und|Ki}} meaning 'have' or 'exist', and {{lang|und|Nabalu}} meaning 'spirit of the dead'.<ref name="multiple">{{cite web |author=Sorudim, Lesaya |url=http://www.kdca.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=112b|title=KINABALU: Kina Balu, Aki Nabalu, or Ki Nabalu? |publisher=KDCA Publications |date=2 May 2005 |access-date=15 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928104158/http://www.kdca.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=101&Itemid=112 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The word {{lang|ms|kota}} comes from Malay word {{lang|ms|kota}} which in turn comes from the Sanskrit word {{lang|sa|कोट्ट}} ({{lang|sa-Latn|kota}}) which means 'fort, fortress, castle, fortified house, fortification, works, city, town, or place encircled by walls'.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Southeast Asia over Three Generations: Essays Presented to Benedict R. O'G. Anderson |last=Siegel |first=James T. |publisher=Cornell University Press |year=2018 |isbn=9781501718946 |location=New York |pages=94 }}</ref> It is also used formally in a few other Malaysian towns and cities, for example, Kota Bharu, Kota Tinggi, and Kota Kemuning. It can also be used informally to refer to any towns or cities. Hence, a direct translation of the name ''Kota Kinabalu'' into English would be "City of Kinabalu" or "Kinabalu City".

===Original names===

Besides Jesselton, there are also other older names for Kota Kinabalu. The most popular is {{lang|ms|Api-Api}}, or simply {{Lang|ms|Api}}, which is a Malay word meaning 'fire'.<ref name=bk1/> Wendy Law Suart wrote in her book on North Borneo, ''The Lingering Eye'', "there is in the Sabah State Museum a Dutch map of Borneo and the Celebes dated 1657 in which the settlement where Jesselton was to stand is clearly labelled Api Api. It may have some connection with the seaside tree with breathing roots that bears the same name".<ref>Wendy Law Suart (1993) ''The Lingering Eye'' page 55, footnote</ref> There are claims, however, that Kota Kinabalu was actually named after a nearby river called ''Sungai Api-Api''. In Chinese, the city is still known as {{Lang|zh-Latn|Api}}, which is the Hakka pronunciation for {{Lang|zh-Hans|亚庇}} (Simplified Chinese; Traditional Chinese: {{Lang|zh-Hant|亞庇}}; pinyin: {{lang|zh-Latn|yà bì}}).

Another suggested historical name is {{Lang|bdr|Deasoka}}, which roughly means 'below the coconut tree' in the Bajau language.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dbkk.sabah.gov.my/bm/content/static/view/339 |title=NAMA ASAL |language=ms |publisher=DBKK Official Website |access-date=19 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708135211/http://www.dbkk.sabah.gov.my/bm/content/static/view/339 |archive-date=8 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Bajau locals purportedly used this name to refer to a village in the southern part of the city which was filled with coconut trees. Yet another name was {{Lang|und|Singgah Mata}} which literally means 'transit eye', but can be loosely translated as 'pleasing to the eye'. It is a name said to have been given by fishermen from Gaya Island referring to the strip of land that is today's downtown Kota Kinabalu.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sawatan, Jackson |url=http://www.mykmu.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2698 |title=Adakah Gaya Sekadar 'Singgah mata' Untuk Pembangkang? |publisher=Bernama |access-date=8 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929043515/http://www.mykmu.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2698 |archive-date=29 September 2007 }}</ref> Today, all these names have been immortalised as names of streets or buildings around the city. Some examples are Lintasan Deasoka, Api-Api Centre and Singgah Mata Street.

==History== [[File:Charles Jessel.PNG|thumb|left|Sir Charles Jessel, vice-chairman of the NBCC, after whom Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) was named.]] thumb|right|Jesselton, {{circa|1911}}. [[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah NorthBorneoWarMemorial-1923-01.png|thumb|right|The North Borneo War Monument was erected in Jesselton in 1923 to remember those fallen British soldiers during World War I.]] Since the 15th century, the area of what is now Kota Kinabalu came under the influence of the Bruneian Empire.<ref>{{cite book|author=Frans Welman|title=Borneo Trilogy Volume 1: Sabah|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=glG-WBH8hkQC&pg=PA152|publisher=Booksmango|isbn=978-616-245-078-5|pages=152–|date=9 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="be">{{cite news|url=http://bt.com.bn/golden-legacy/2011/01/10/history-kota-kinabalu|title=The History of Kota Kinabalu|author=Rozan Yunos|newspaper=The Brunei Times|date=20 January 2011|access-date=10 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510102149/http://bt.com.bn/golden-legacy/2011/01/10/history-kota-kinabalu|archive-date=10 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the late 1800s, the British North Borneo Chartered Company (NBCC) began to establish colonial settlements throughout North Borneo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sta.my/sabah_history.cfm|title=History of Sabah|publisher=Sabah Tourism Association (STA)|access-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327002902/http://www.sta.my/sabah_history.cfm|archive-date=27 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1882, NBCC founded a small settlement in the area known as Gaya Bay, which was already inhabited by the Bajau people.<ref>{{cite book|author=Tamara Thiessen|title=Borneo: Sabah – Brunei – Sarawak|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DCDkRTYwN5AC&pg=PA163|access-date=17 June 2013|year=2012|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-390-0|pages=163–}}</ref> The first settlement was at Gaya Island.<ref name="bk1">{{cite book|author1=Charles De Ledesma|author2=Mark Lewis|author3=Pauline Savage|title=Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hS0_GehsGPwC&pg=PA508|access-date=22 May 2013|year=2003|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=978-1-84353-094-7|pages=508–}}</ref> However, in 1897, the settlement was burned and destroyed by the indigenous Bajau-Suluk chief Mat Salleh.<ref name="be"/>

After the destruction, NBCC decided to relocate the settlement to the more easily defended mainland at Gantian Bay (now Sepanggar Bay) in 1898.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/Article/singfreepressb19000417-1.2.28.aspx|title=NEW PORT IN NORTH BORNEO|work=The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942), 17 April 1900, Page 3|publisher=National Library Singapore|access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> However, Gantian Bay was found to be unsuitable and in July 1899, Henry Walker, a Land Commissioner, identified a {{convert|30|acre|0|abbr=on}} site opposite Gaya Island as a replacement for Gantian Bay.<ref name="g1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dbkk.sabah.gov.my/en/content/static/view/3|title=About KK (History)|publisher=DBKK Sabah|access-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911023631/http://www.dbkk.sabah.gov.my/en/content/static/view/3|archive-date=11 September 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> The replacement settlement site was a fishing village called ''Api-Api'' (see ''Original names'' above). The site was chosen due to its proximity to the North Borneo Railway and its natural port that provided good anchorage, which was up to 24 feet deep.<ref name=bk1/>

[[File:Jesselton Bomb Damage (AWM 121380A).JPG|thumb|left|Bomb damage at the town of Jesselton during World War II, this was part of the Borneo Campaign by Allied forces during 1945.]] [[File:Japanese troops disarmed, Jesselton, North Borneo.JPG|thumb|left|Disarmed Japanese troops marching towards a prisoner of war (POW) compound in Jesselton after surrendering to the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 8 October 1945.]] [[File:Children of North Borneo.JPG|thumb|right|Children in Jesselton filmed by Australian government representative a year after the war in 1946.]] By the end of 1899, construction had started on shoplots,<ref>{{cite book|author=Cecilia Leong|title=Sabah, the first 100 years|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KqQLAAAAIAAJ|year=1982|publisher=Percetakan Nan Yang Muda|page=24}}</ref> a pier and government buildings.<ref name=g1/> This new administrative centre was renamed ''Jesselton'' after Sir Charles Jessel, who was the then Vice-Chairman of NBCC. Eventually, Jesselton became a major trading post of North Borneo, dealing in rubber, rattan, honey, and wax.<ref name=bk1/><ref name="nb1">{{cite web|url=http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/borneo.htm|title=The North Borneo Railway Project|author=Rob Dickinson|publisher=The International Steam Pages|access-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328052920/http://www.internationalsteam.co.uk/trains/borneo.htm|archive-date=28 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The North Borneo Railway was used to transport goods to the Jesselton harbour.<ref name=nb1/> The Malay and Bajau uprisings during those times were not uncommon, and NBCC worked to quell the long-standing threat of piracy in the region. Jesselton was partially razed by the British during their retreat from the advancing Japanese and suffered further devastation when the Allies bombed it in 1945.<ref name="Chow2009">{{cite book|author=Wong Seng Chow|title=Rice Wine & Dancing Girls: The Real Life Drama of a Roving Cinema Manager in 50s Malaysia and Singapore|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T6wLAQAAMAAJ|access-date=17 June 2013|date=10 March 2009|publisher=Monsoon Books|isbn=978-981-08-1083-2}}</ref> After the Japanese takeover of Borneo, it was again renamed Api. Several rebellions against the Japanese military administration took place in Api. One major rebellion in the town occurred on 10 October 1943 by a group called Kinabalu Guerrillas in the Jesselton Revolt consisting of local inhabitants. Japanese forces quelled the rebellion after its leader, Albert Kwok, was arrested and executed in 1944.<ref>{{cite book|contribution=Chapter Eight – The 1943 Kinabalu Uprising in Sabah|author=Fujio, Hara|title=Southeast Asian Minorities in the Wartime Japanese Empire|editor=Paul H. Kratoska|publisher=Taylor & Francis|year=2013|isbn=978-1-136-12506-5|pages=111, 113}}</ref> At the later stages of the war, what remained of the town was destroyed again by Allied bombings day and night for over six months as part of the Borneo Campaign in 1945, leaving only three buildings standing.<ref name=bk1/> The war in North Borneo ended with the official surrender of the Japanese 37th Army by Lieutenant General Baba Masao in Labuan on 10 September 1945.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dva.gov.au/commems_oawg/OAWG/war_memorials/overseas_memorials/malaysia/Pages/malaysia%20surrender%20point.aspx|title=Surrender Point Memorial, Labuan Island|publisher=Department of Veterans' Affairs|access-date=21 May 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140502125557/http://www.dva.gov.au/COMMEMS_OAWG/OAWG/WAR_MEMORIALS/OVERSEAS_MEMORIALS/MALAYSIA/Pages/malaysia%20surrender%20point.aspx|archive-date=2 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After the war on the edge of bankruptcy, the British North Borneo Company returned to administer Jesselton but was unable to finance the huge costs of reconstruction. They gave control of North Borneo to the British Crown on 18 July 1946. The new colonial government elected to rebuild Jesselton as the capital of North Borneo instead of Sandakan, which had also been destroyed by the war.<ref>{{citation|author1=Muzium Sabah|title=Sabah's heritage : a brief introduction to Sabah's history and heritage|date=1992|publisher=Sabah Museum|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/23948120|access-date=24 October 2013}}</ref> The Crown Colony administration designed a plan, later known as the "Colonial Office Reconstruction and Development Plan for North Borneo: 1948–1955", to rebuild North Borneo. This plan provided £6,051,939 for the rebuilding of infrastructure in North Borneo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sosiohumanika-jpssk.com/sh_files/File/Ismai.umsl.pdf|author=Ismail Ali|title=The Role and Contribution of the British Administration and the Capitalist in the North Borneo Fishing Industry, 1945–63|publisher=Sosiohumanika-jpssk.com|access-date=30 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224033930/http://www.sosiohumanika-jpssk.com/sh_files/File/Ismai.umsl.pdf|archive-date=24 February 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref> When the Crown Colony of North Borneo together with Sarawak, Singapore and the Federation of Malaya formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, it became known as Sabah, and Jesselton remained its capital.<ref name="vk1">{{cite web|url=http://corporate.tourism.gov.my/mediacentre.asp?page=feature_malaysia&subpage=archive&news_id=57 |title=Sabah – Lest We Forget |publisher=Tourism Malaysia |access-date=17 June 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130801182717/http://corporate.tourism.gov.my/mediacentre.asp?page=feature_malaysia&pagemode=search&news_id=57&subpage= |archive-date= 1 August 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 22 December 1967, the State Legislative Assembly under Chief Minister Mustapha Harun passed a bill renaming Jesselton as Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu town board was upgraded to municipal status in 1979. The city was upgraded to city status on 2 February 2000.<ref name=vk1/>

==Capital city== {{Location map many|Malaysia Sabah Kota Kinabalu|width=300|float=right|caption=Locations of Kota Kinabalu and its suburbs |lat1=5.980556|long1=116.075|label1_size=75 |label1='''Kota Kinabalu'''|position1=bottom|mark1size=5 |lat2=5.993534|long2=116.135985|label2_size=65 |label2=Inanam|position2=right|mark2=Cyan pog.svg|mark2size=5 |lat3=6.089505|long3=116.195306|label3_size=65 |label3=Telipok|position3=top|mark3=Cyan pog.svg|mark3size=5 |lat4=6.024129|long4=116.156717|label4_size=65 |label4=Manggatal|position4=left|mark4=Cyan pog.svg|mark4size=5 }} Being the capital city of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu plays an important role in the political and economic welfare of the population of the entire state. It is the seat of the state government where almost all of their ministries and agencies are based. Most of the Malaysian federal government agencies and departments are also located in Kota Kinabalu. The Sabah State Legislative Assembly is located at the nearby Likas Bay. There are four members of parliament (MPs) representing the four parliamentary constituencies in the city: Sepanggar (''P.171''), Kota Kinabalu (''P.172''), Putatan (''P.173''), Tuaran ("P.176") and Penampang (''P.174''). The city also elects 9 representatives to the state legislature from the state assembly districts of Karambunai, Inanam, Likas, Api-Api, Luyang, Tanjung Aru, Petagas, Kepayan, Segama, Menggatal, Tuaran, Lido, and Moyog.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pmr.penerangan.gov.my/index.php/politik/1637-senarai-bahagian-bahagian-pilihan-raya-parlimen-dan-dun-setiap-negeri-negeri.html|title=List of Parliamentary Elections Parts and State Legislative Assemblies on Every States|publisher=Ministry of Information Malaysia|access-date=19 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140518200007/http://pmr.penerangan.gov.my/index.php/politik/1637-senarai-bahagian-bahagian-pilihan-raya-parlimen-dan-dun-setiap-negeri-negeri.html|archive-date=18 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Local authority and city definition=== [[File:KotaKinabalu CityHall.jpg|left|thumb|Kota Kinabalu City Hall.]] [[File:KKMap3.png|thumb|A rough map of Kota Kinabalu city and urban area. Blue lines indicate main roads, grey lines indicate railway lines, and pink dotted lines indicate district boundaries.]] The city is administered by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu). The current mayor of Kota Kinabalu is Sabin Samitah, who became the latest mayor after taking over the post from Noorliza Awang Alip on 1 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/996463/former-inland-revenue-ceo-sabin-appointed-kota-kinabalu-mayor|title=Former Inland Revenue CEO Sabin appointed Kota Kinabalu mayor|last=Miwil|first=Olivia|work=New Straits Times|date=2 January 2024|access-date=2 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102105746/https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/996463/former-inland-revenue-ceo-sabin-appointed-kota-kinabalu-mayor|archive-date=2 January 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref> Iliyas in turn became the second mayor of the city after taking over from Abdul Ghani Rashid in 2006. The city obtained city status on 2 February 2000,<ref name=vk1/> and prior to this it was administered by Majlis Perbandaran Kota Kinabalu (Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council/Kota Kinabalu Town Hall).

thumb|left|View over the southern city central business district. The city is defined within the borders of what is the district, formerly the municipality, of Kota Kinabalu. With an area of 351 square kilometres, it is the smallest but the most populous district in Sabah.<ref name="statbulletin"/> It encompasses Tanjung Aru and Kepayan in the south, up to Telipok and Sepanggar in the north. The urban expanse of the city however extends into the district of Penampang<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&om=1&z=11&ll=5.944583,116.087036&spn=0.329866,0.466919&t=k|title=Satellite image of Kota Kinabalu|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=17 March 2007}}</ref> on the south of the city border, which includes the towns of Donggongon and Putatan. The combined area of Kota Kinabalu District and the contiguous built up areas in Penampang and Putatan is known as Greater Kota Kinabalu.<ref name="health sedia">{{cite web|url=http://www.sedia.com.my/SDC_EPP/GreaterKK_Overview_Healthcare.pdf|title=Greater Kota Kinabalu Healthcare Overview|publisher=Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA)|access-date=19 April 2012|archive-date=13 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513013207/http://www.sedia.com.my/SDC_EPP/GreaterKK_Overview_Healthcare.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The district of Penampang has an area of 466 square kilometres, and is administered by Majlis Daerah Penampang (Penampang District Council).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabah.gov.my/md.ppg/|title=Main Page|publisher=Penampang District Council|access-date=15 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807173101/http://www.sabah.gov.my/md.ppg/|archive-date=7 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On one end of the scale, Kota Kinabalu may sometimes only refer to, especially by local inhabitants, the city centre or central business district near the sea facing Gaya Island. On the other end of the scale, it may also refer to the metropolitan area which includes urban Kota Kinabalu (Greater Kota Kinabalu), and the surrounding towns of Papar and Kinarut in the south, and Tuaran and Tamparuli in the north, being within its zone of influence.

==Geography== [[File:ISS004-E-7723.jpg|thumb|left|400px|View of Kota Kinabalu captured from the International Space Station in 2002.]] [[File:Panorama of Greater Kota Kinabalu.jpg|thumb|right|View of Greater Kota Kinabalu with skyscrapers dotting the city above lush green treetops.]] Kota Kinabalu is located on the west coast of Sabah. The city lies on a narrow flatland between the Crocker Range to the east and the South China Sea to the west. There are six islands off the coast of the city. The largest is Gaya Island, the site of the first British settlement. Approximately 8,000 people live there.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/5/nation/15060803&sec=nation |title=Cops storm Pulau Gaya, clash leaves one dead, four injured |work=The Star |date=5 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030103237/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/5/nation/15060803&sec=nation |archive-date=30 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The smaller islands, mainly uninhabited, are named Sapi Island, Manukan Island, Sulug Island, Mamutik Island and Sepanggar Island to the north.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kota+Kinabalu&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=38.554089,67.851563&ie=UTF8&ll=5.997167,116.06884&spn=0.189501,0.265045&z=12|title=Google Maps}}</ref> Sepanggar island is located north of the National Park opposite Sepanggar Bay.

Flat land is at a premium in the city centre, and there is a strict limit to the height of buildings: the airport is {{convert|7|km|0|abbr=on}} away, and the city is directly in the flight path. Most of the Central Business District (CBD) today is built on land reclaimed from the sea.<ref name=bk1/> The original local plant life has largely disappeared, but several hills within the city (too steep for building) are still clothed with tropical rainforest. One of these is Signal Hill, which confines the CBD to the shore. In the area of Likas Bay, the remnants of an extensive mangrove forest was nearly lost.<ref name="wwf">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwf.org.my/how_you_can_help/how_you_live_your_life/hylyl_travel_smart/index.cfm?uNewsID=2020|title=WWF Malaysia, A City Oasis|date=28 December 2006|access-date=14 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224034714/http://www.wwf.org.my/how_you_can_help/how_you_live_your_life/hylyl_travel_smart/index.cfm?uNewsID=2020|archive-date=24 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1996, the state government declared {{convert|24|acre|ha}} of the forest as a protected area. This forest is now known as the Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary. The sanctuary was given additional protection as a State Cultural Heritage Site in 1998.<ref name="wwf"/>

[[File:Pulau Gaya water village Kota Kinabalu Sabah aerial 1.jpg|right|thumb|Aerial view of Gaya island in 2026.]] The five islands (of Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Sulug, Mamutik) opposite the city, and their surrounding waters, are also preserved as the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park.<ref name=bk1/> The park was named in honour of the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman. The park is a recreational spot for tourists and local people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabahparks.org.my/eng/tunku_abdul_rahman_park/activities.asp|title=Tunku Abdul Rahman Park|publisher=Sabah Parks|access-date=24 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313091744/http://www.sabahparks.org.my/eng/tunku_abdul_rahman_park/activities.asp|archive-date=13 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Kota Kinabalu city centre, consisting of mostly businesses and the government, includes Karamunsing, the port area (Tanjung Lipat), Signal Hill, Kampung Air, Sinsuran, Segama, Asia City, Gaya Street (Old Town), Bandaran Berjaya, Api-Api, Sutera Harbour and Sembulan. Outlying neighbourhoods and residential suburbs include Kepayan Ridge, Tanjung Aru, Petagas, Kepayan, Lido, Lintas, Nosoob, Bukit Padang, Luyang, Damai, Lok Kawi, Bukit Bendera, Kasigui, Bundusan, Likas and Kolombong. The city is growing steadily and the urban sprawl extends to the towns of Inanam, Menggatal, Sepanggar, Telipok and south of the district border to Penampang, Putatan, and Lok Kawi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabahtravelguide.com/mapguide/_kk.asp|title=KK Map Guide|publisher=Sabah Travel Guide|access-date=24 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331105815/http://www.sabahtravelguide.com/mapguide/_kk.asp|archive-date=31 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kota Kinabalu is generally isolated from the rest of the country; it is located about {{convert|1624|km|mi}} from Kuala Lumpur in Peninsular Malaysia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.convertunits.com/distance/from/Kuala+Lumpur,+Malaysia/to/Kota+Kinabalu,+Malaysia |title=Distance from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia |access-date=5 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521103314/http://www.convertunits.com/distance/from/Kuala%2BLumpur%2C%2BMalaysia/to/Kota%2BKinabalu%2C%2BMalaysia |archive-date=21 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and {{convert|804|km|mi}} from Kuching in the neighbouring state of Sarawak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.convertunits.com/distance/from/Kuching,+Malaysia/to/Kota+Kinabalu,+Malaysia|title=Distance from Kuching, Malaysia to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia|access-date=5 June 2009}}</ref>

===Climate=== Kota Kinabalu features a tropical rainforest climate (Af) with constant high temperatures, and a considerable amount of rain and high humidity throughout the course of the year.<ref name="profile98">{{cite web|title=Sabah Coastal Zone Profile 1998 – 3 CLIMATE (Part I)|publisher=Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah|access-date=2 June 2013|url=http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/iczm/reports/Coastal%20Profile%20Sabah/ch03/03-CLIMATEI.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216191804/http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/iczm/reports/Coastal%20Profile%20Sabah/ch03/03-CLIMATEI.htm|archive-date=16 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two prevailing monsoons characterise the climate of this part of Sabah are the Northeast Monsoon and the Southwest Monsoon. The Northeast Monsoon occurs between November and March, while the Southwest Monsoon occurs between May and September. There are also two successive inter-monsoons from April to May and from September to October.<ref name="profile98"/>

During the 1995–2004 period, Kota Kinabalu's average temperature ranges from {{convert|26|°C}} to {{convert|28|°C}}.<ref name="rus23">{{cite book|title=Ecological Landuse Planning and Sustainable Management of Urban and Sub-urban Green Areas in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia|author=Russel, Andy Immit Mojiol|publisher=Cuvillier Verlag|year=2006|isbn=978-3-86727-081-6|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=PVi6okfiv_EC&dq=%22kota+kinabalu%22+%22climate%22&pg=PA23 23]}}</ref> April and May are the hottest months, while January is the coolest one.<ref name="profile98"/> The average annual rainfall is around 2,400 millimetres<ref name="rus23"/> and varies markedly throughout the year. February and March are typically the driest months while rainfall peaks in the inter-monsoon period in October.<ref>Russel 2006, p. 24</ref> The wind speed ranges from 5.5 to 7.9 m/s during the Northeast Monsoon but is significantly lower to 0.3 to 3.3 m/s during the Southwest Monsoon.<ref>Russel 2006, p. 25</ref>

==Demography== There have not been any official or popular adjectives, or demonyms, to describe the people of Kota Kinabalu. A simple way to describe the people of the city is "''orang KK''", where ''orang'' means "person" or "people" in Malay. The terms "K.K-ites"<ref name="rapid"/> and "K.K-ians" have also been used to a limited extent. People from Sabah are called Sabahans.<ref name="sbh1">{{cite web|url=http://www.discoverytours.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=69&Itemid=45|title=PEOPLE OF SABAH|publisher=Discovery Tours Sabah|access-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328085911/http://www.discoverytours.com.my/default.aspx?page=about_people&title=About%20Sabah&lbl=people%20of%20sabah|archive-date=28 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Ethnicity and religion=== The following is based on Department of Statistics Malaysia 2010 census.<ref name="stats"/>{{Update inline|date=January 2023|reason=Use 2020 census}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="text-align:center;" colspan="3"| Ethnic groups in Kota Kinabalu, 2010 |- ! Ethnicity !! Population !! Percentage |- | Chinese || 93,429 || 20.7% |- | Bajau || 72,931 || 16.13% |- | Kadazan-Dusun || 69,993 || 15.5% |- | Other Bumiputras || 59,607 || 13.2% |- | Malay || 35,835 || 7.9% |- | Murut|| 2,518 || 0.6% |- | Indian || 2,207 || 0.5% |- | Others || 5,482 || 1.21% |- | Non-Malaysian || 110,556 || 24.5% |} [[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah Sacred-Heart-Cathedral-01.jpg|thumb|right|Sacred Heart Cathedral.]] The Malaysian Census 2010 Report estimated the population of Kota Kinabalu at 452,058.<ref name="stats">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/population/04Jadual_PBT_negeri/PBT_Sabah.pdf|title=Total population by ethnic group, Local Authority area and state, Malaysia|year=2010|publisher=Statistics Department, Malaysia|access-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114184319/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/population/04Jadual_PBT_negeri/PBT_Sabah.pdf|archive-date=14 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The city's population is a mixture of many different races and ethnicities. Non-Malaysian citizens form the largest group in the city with 110,556 people followed by Chinese (93,429), Bajau (72,931), Kadazan-Dusun (69,993), other Bumiputras (59,107), Malay<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenutgraph.com/%E2%80%9Cnot-malays-full-stop%E2%80%9D/ |quote=Actually in Sabah, there were no Malays. You were either Bajau, or Murut, or Orang Sungai. The closest to Malays were the Brunei Malays because they were originally from Brunei before settling in Sabah |title=Not Malays full stop |date=22 November 2010 |publisher=The Nut Graph |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812060222/http://www.thenutgraph.com/%e2%80%9cnot-malays-full-stop%e2%80%9d/ |archive-date=12 August 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> (35,835), Murut (2,518), Indian (2,207) and others (5,482).<ref name="stats"/>

The Chinese are mostly Hakkas and reside mainly in the Luyang area as well as in Likas and Damai neighbourhoods with significant populations in other suburbs such as Manggatal, Inanam and Telipok. There is also a sizeable Cantonese-speaking population and smaller communities of Hokkien and Fuzhounese-speaking Chinese scattered throughout all areas of the city. Most of the Fuzhounese speakers in particular emigrated to Sabah from the neighbouring Malaysian state of Sarawak.

Kota Kinabalu is home to a diverse range of indigenous groups. The Kadazans, who predominantly come from Penampang and Papar, and the Dusuns, from the west coast and the interior of Sabah, are among the largest groups. The Bajaus, originally from Tuaran and Kota Belud, also have a significant presence in the city, along with other Bajau communities from various coastal regions of Sabah. The Malay population in Kota Kinabalu is primarily descended from Bruneian Malays, with smaller communities from the Malay Peninsula and Sarawak. Additionally, there are several other indigenous groups, including the Murut, Suluk, Sungai, Lun Bawang/Lundayeh, Bisaya, Illanun, Kedayan, Ida'an and Rungus, who have relocated to the city for socio-economic opportunities from different parts of the state.

Penampang district is populated mainly by Kadazans, while Bajaus and Dusuns mainly reside in Likas, Sembulan, Inanam, Menggatal, Sepanggar and Telipok. In Tuaran, both Dusun and Bajau communities are prominent, while Papar is largely inhabited by Kadazans and Bruneian Malays.

The Brunei Malays and Bajau are Muslims. The Kadazan-Dusuns, Muruts, Rungus and Lundayeh/Lun Bawang mainly practice Folk forms of Christianity, Islam, or Animism, while the Chinese are mainly Buddhists, Taoist or Christians. There are numerous Roman Catholic, Basel (Lutheran), Anglican, Evangelical, and Methodist churches throughout the city. A small number of Hindus, Sikhs, Animists, and secularists can also be found. The Census 2020 Report showed an increase to 500,421 inhabitants.<ref>Dept of Statistics Malaysia (web).</ref>

[[File:Kota Kinabalu city Mosque.jpg|thumb|left|City Mosque.]] [[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah SabahStateMosque-01.jpg|thumb|left|The Sabah State Mosque, another place of worship sights in the city.]] There is also a sizeable Filipino population in the city. The first wave of migrants arrived in the late 15th century during the Spanish colonisation, while a later wave arrived in the early 1970s, driven away from the Philippines by political and economic uncertainties there. Most of the earlier migrants have been naturalised as Malaysian citizens. However, there are still some Filipinos living in the city without proper documentation as illegal immigrants.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Sadiq, Kamal|title=When States Prefer Non-Citizens Over Citizens: Conflict Over Illegal Immigration into Malaysia|journal=International Studies Quarterly |volume=49|issue=1|pages=101–122|publisher=University of California–Irvine|jstor=3693626|year=2005|doi=10.1111/j.0020-8833.2005.00336.x|doi-access=free}}</ref>

The majority of Filipino migrants in the city come from the southern Philippines and the Sulu Archipelago, with notable communities of Chavacano speakers<ref name="California2008">{{cite book|author=Irvine Kamal Sadiq|title=Paper Citizens: How Illegal Immigrants Acquire Citizenship in Developing Countries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xDa6LrF1yCIC&pg=PA48|access-date=4 July 2013|date=31 October 2008|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-970780-5|pages=48–}}</ref> and Bangsamoro background. Additionally, there is a significant population of Visayan origin, as well as smaller groups from northern Philippines.

In addition to Filipinos, the city is also home to sizeable residence of Indonesian descent.<ref name="California2008"/> These groups, primarily of Bugis, Banjarese, Torajans and Javanese ancestry, have established visible presence in the city. [[File:Kota Kinabalu Pu Tho Si Tempel 0019.jpg|thumb|right|Pu Tuo Si Temple.]]

There is a small population of Indians, Pakistanis, Timorese and Eurasians scattered around the city. More recently, the number of expatriates living in the city, whether temporarily or permanently, have also increased. Most of them come from China, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Taiwan and Europe.

Interracial marriages across various ethnicities and nationalities are common. A notable example is the union between Chinese and indigenous groups such as the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Rungus, known as Sino-Native. The mixed-race descendants are commonly referred to as Sino, with the term adapted to reflect the specific ethnic backgrounds of the parents, such as Sino-Kadazan, Sino-Dusun and others.<ref name="ck1">{{cite book|author=Chee-kiong Tong|title=Identity and Ethnic Relations in Southeast Asia: Racializing Chineseness|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8bXnUL46_X0C&pg=PA110|access-date=22 May 2013|year=2010|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-90-481-8909-0|pages=110–}}</ref>

===Languages=== The people of Kota Kinabalu mainly speak Malay, with a distinct Sabahan creole.<ref name=sbh1/> However, as about 20% of Kota Kinabalu residents are of Chinese descent,<ref name="stats"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hasil.gov.my/sgatar/general.html |title=3. ABOUT KOTA KINABALU, SABAH (SGATAR 2011) |publisher=Hasil.gov.my |year=2011 |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029222316/http://www.hasil.gov.my/sgatar/general.html |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Chinese is also widely spoken. Among the Chinese, the most commonly spoken varieties are Huiyang Hakka (Simplified Chinese: 惠阳客家话; Traditional Chinese: 惠陽客家話) and Mandarin. Additionally, most Chinese can speak Cantonese, although with widely varying levels of fluency. Almost all residents are also able to speak English, especially the younger generation. However, some find it difficult to speak fluently due to a limited vocabulary and the general lack of usage of the English language as a conversational lingua franca among Sabahans as a whole.

The number of Kadazan-Dusun speakers is thought to have dropped significantly throughout Sabah, especially in larger towns or cities like Kota Kinabalu. However, some effort has been taken by some to revive the usage of the language. Kadazan has been considered an endangered language, along with the culture of ethnic Kadazans.<ref>{{cite web|author=Reid, Anthony|url=https://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5000484947&er=deny|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201065105/http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&se=gglsc&d=5000484947&er=deny|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2013|title=Endangered Identity: Kadazan or Dusun in Sabah|publisher=Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, Vol. 28|year=1997|access-date=15 January 2008}}</ref>

==Economy== [[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah TelukSapanggar-OilTerminal-01.jpg|thumb|left|An oil terminal at Sepanggar Bay operated by Petronas.]] Besides being the capital city, Kota Kinabalu is also the main industrial and commercial centre for Sabah. The economy is dominated by the primary sector of industry. Historically, the secondary sector dominated the economy, but due to rapid urbanisation and economic development, this sector of the economy is slowly diminishing. More recently, a move towards a more tertiary-based industry has become more apparent, especially with regards to the boom in the tourism industry.<ref name="tourism"/> Many state-level, national-level and international commercial banks, as well as some insurance companies have their headquarters or branches here. The overseas Chinese population also contributes to the development of KK since their immigration in the late 19th century.<ref name="cl1">{{cite journal|url=http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/arch_0044-8613_1999_num_58_3_3538|title=Chinese Migration to Sabah Before the Second World War|author=Danny Wong Tze-Ken|journal=Archipel|year=1999|volume=58 |issue=3 |pages=131–158|doi=10.3406/arch.1999.3538 |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> Their original role was often a 'coolie' (manual labourer) and today many Chinese work as shopowners.<ref name=cl1/>

A number of industrial and manufacturing companies also have plants here, especially in the industrial districts of Likas, Kolombong, and Inanam. The ongoing construction of the {{convert|8320|acre|km2|adj=on}} Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP) in Sepanggar is intended to boost the city's industrial and commercial activity, making it a major growth centre in East Malaysia, as well for the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kkip.com.my/DataBases/KKIPWeb.nsf/IntroPage?OpenPage|title=Introduction|publisher=Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park|access-date=9 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930023621/http://www.kkip.com.my/DataBases/KKIPWeb.nsf/IntroPage?OpenPage|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=January 2023}}

==Transportation==

===Land=== thumb|A highway in Kota Kinabalu

The internal roads linking different parts of the city are generally state roads constructed and maintained by the state's Public Works Department.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/iczm/Reports/Coastal%20Profile%20Sabah/ch14/14-TRANSPORT.html |title=Transport (Road Networks) |publisher=Town and Regional Planning Department, Sabah |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128104434/http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/iczm/Reports/Coastal%20Profile%20Sabah/ch14/14-TRANSPORT.html |archive-date=28 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Most major internal roads are dual-carriageways. One of the major roads here is Lintas-Tuaran Bypass Road, which together serves almost as a ring road, circling the city and connecting the districts and suburbs surrounding the city, namely Putatan, Penampang, Luyang, Likas, Inanam, Menggatal, Sepanggar and Tuaran. There are currently no freeways in the city or in any other part of Sabah. The city is linked by highways to other towns in Sabah. These are mainly federal roads maintained by the national Public Works Department. Highway routes from Kota Kinabalu include:<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sabah.com.my/borneotrade/e7.htm |title=INFRASTRUCTURE & SUPERSTRUCTURE (Road) |publisher=Borneo Trade (Source from Public Works Department, Sabah) |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227040816/http://www.sabah.com.my/borneotrade/e7.htm |archive-date=27 February 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * Kota Kinabalu – Tuaran – Tamparuli – Kota Belud – Kota Marudu – Pitas – Kudat * Kota Kinabalu – Penampang – (Putatan – Lok Kawi) – Papar – Beaufort – Sindumin (part of the Pan Borneo Highway) * Kota Kinabalu – Penampang – Tambunan – Keningau – Tenom – Nabawan - Kalabakan - Tawau (completing the Southern route in Sabah, part of the Pan Borneo Highway) * Kota Kinabalu – Tuaran – Tamparuli – Kundasang – Ranau – Telupid – Sandakan – Tawau (AH150 route, Northern route part of the Pan Borneo Highway)

[[File:Inanam Sabah TerminalBasBandaraya-01.jpg|thumb|The North Bus Terminal in Inanam serves long-distance buses bound for the north and east of Sabah.]] [[File:SabahStateRailway-NewWaggon-InsideView.jpg|thumb|Interior of a train in Tanjung Aru station.]]

Regular bus services operate in the city. Aside from buses, minibuses or vans are used as an alternative mode of public transport.<ref name="sb1">{{cite book|title=Lonely Planet Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741048872|url-access=registration|access-date=22 May 2013|year=2010|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=978-1-74104-887-2|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741048872/page/354 354]–}}</ref> There are two main bus terminals in the city centre. The terminal along Tun Razak Road provide bus services to different parts of the city and its outskirts, while the KK Sentral terminal provides intercity services to destinations south of the city (Papar, Beaufort, Sipitang, Limbang etc.). A third bus terminal, the North Kota Kinabalu Bus Terminal in Inanam district, services intercity buses heading towards destinations north and north-east of the city (Ranau, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Semporna etc.). Taxis are available throughout the city.<ref name=sb1/>

A railway system formerly known as the North Borneo Railway was established in 1896 by the British North Borneo Company.<ref name=nb1/><ref name="nb2">{{cite news|url=http://www.moe.gov.my/bpk/modul_pnp/ictic/keretapi/unik6.htm |title=ASAL USUL SEJARAH KERETA API DI SABAH |publisher=Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia (Ministry of Education Malaysia) |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027082533/http://www.moe.gov.my/bpk/modul_pnp/ictic/keretapi/unik6.htm |archive-date=27 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was built for the main purpose of transporting commodities from the Interior Division to the port in Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) during the period of British rule.<ref name=nb1/> The railway line connects Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu to Beaufort , Tenom and several other towns in between, and it is the only railway system operating in East Malaysia.<ref name=nb1/><ref name=nb2/> Today, the railway line is known as the Western Line and managed by the Sabah State Railway, providing daily services for commuters, travellers, as well as for cargo transportation.<ref name=nb1/> A separate company operates the leisure tour also called the ''North Borneo Railway'', which caters mainly for tourists. This antique steam train service only running on Saturday and Wednesday mornings from Tanjung Aru station to Kinarut station before returning to the former station.<ref name=nb1/> In 2016, the Tanjung Aru railway station was moved to Aeropod with a new terminal and more public facilities.

===Air=== Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) (ICAO Code : WBKK, IATA Code: BKI) is a main hub for Malaysia Airlines and a secondary hub for AirAsia and MASwings. It has one terminal<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/data/stories/2015/11/30/09/10/terminal-2-kkia/|title=KKIA Terminal 2 to close from midnight|newspaper=The Star (Malaysia)|date=30 November 2015|access-date=12 December 2015|archive-date=12 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212065204/http://www.thestar.com.my/data/stories/2015/11/30/09/10/terminal-2-kkia/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport and is one of the main gateways into Sabah and East Malaysia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/15/nation/16889464&sec=nation |title=KKIA to become key air hub |work=The Star |date=15 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030103247/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/15/nation/16889464&sec=nation |archive-date=30 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition to domestic flights within Sabah and Malaysia, KKIA is also serviced by international flights to several cities in southeast and northeast Asia, as well as Perth in Australia.

{{wide image|Kota Kinabalu International Airport.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|Kota Kinabalu International Airport}}

===Sea=== [[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah JesseltonPoint-07.jpg|thumb|A ferry from Labuan at Kota Kinabalu Ferry Terminal.]] thumb|right|Entrance to the Jesselton Point waterfront. Kota Kinabalu has two ports: Kota Kinabalu Port and Sapangar Bay Container Port (SBCP). Kota Kinabalu Port mainly handles loose/bulk cargo, while SBCP operates as a naval base for the Royal Malaysian Navy and an oil depot in addition to handling containerised cargo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spsb.com.my/sapangar-bay-container-port/|title=About Sapangar Bay Container Port|work=Sabah Ports|access-date=14 December 2024}}</ref> In 2004, Kota Kinabalu Port handled about 3.6 million tonnes of freight cargo, the third highest in the state after Sandakan Port and Tawau Port.<ref name="statbulletin">{{cite book|title=Monthly Statistical Bulletin: Sabah|date=January 2007|publisher=Department of Statistics Malaysia, Sabah}}</ref> However, it handles the highest number of containers in the state, with {{TEU|153,793|first=yes}} of containers handled in 2006. Sepanggar Bay Port will have an annual capacity of {{TEU|200,000}} when its container terminal is completed.

The Kota Kinabalu Ferry Service operates from a passenger ferry terminal located at Jesselton Point,<ref name="jp1">{{cite news|url=http://www.geeky.net/configuration.html |title=FERRY SCHEDULE |publisher=Jesselton Point |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6HUIWpdX9?url=http://jesseltonpoint.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=4 |archive-date=19 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cbignore}}</ref> providing ferry and motorboat services to nearby islands. There are also regular scheduled ferry services to Labuan.<ref name=jp1/>

==Other utilities==

===Courts of law and legal enforcement=== thumb|Sabah Police Headquarters.

The Kota Kinabalu Court Complex is located along Kebajikan Road. It contains three High Courts, six Magistrates' courts, six Sessions Courts including the Child Sexual Offence Court and a Federal Court.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=126471|title=New KK Court Complex fully operational Sept|author=Cynthia D Baga|newspaper=Daily Express|date=10 August 2018|access-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731080703/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=126471|archive-date=31 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another court for the Sharia law were also located in the area of Sembulan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jksm.gov.my/jksns/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=29|title=Syariah Courts Address in Sabah|publisher=Department of Sabah State Syariah|access-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421153853/http://www.jksm.gov.my/jksns/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=29|archive-date=21 April 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters is located in Kepayan. There are two district headquarters in the city, the Kota Kinabalu District police headquarters located in Karamunsing, and the Penampang District headquarters. Both also operate as police stations. Other police stations are found in KKIA, Tanjung Aru, Putatan, Inanam, Menggatal, Luyang and Alamesra. Police substations (Pondok Polis) are found in Likas, Telipok and Babagon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmp.gov.my/direktori/direktori-pdrm/sabah/kota-kinabalu|title=Direktori PDRM Sabah – Kota Kinabalu|language=ms|publisher=Royal Malaysia Police|access-date=1 August 2015|archive-date=22 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722122534/http://www.rmp.gov.my/direktori/direktori-pdrm/sabah/kota-kinabalu|url-status=dead}}</ref> The city's traffic police headquarters is located along Lorong Dewan near Gaya Street, and the marine police headquarters is located near the city ferry terminal along Tun Razak Road.

Kota Kinabalu Central Prison is located in Kepayan.<ref>{{cite web|title=89 prisoners get early release for Hari Raya|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-300527570/89-prisoners-get-early.html|publisher=Access My Library|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref>

===Healthcare=== {{See also|List of hospitals in Malaysia}} thumb|Queen Elizabeth Hospital. There are three public hospitals, six publics health clinic, two child and mother health clinics, six village clinics, one mobile clinic, and six community clinics in Kota Kinabalu.<ref name=tg1/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://jknsabah.moh.gov.my/v6/index.php/en/senarai-fasiliti-kesihatan|title=Clinics in Kota Kinabalu|publisher=Sabah State Health Department|access-date=30 March 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140330142253/http://jknsabah.moh.gov.my/v6/index.php/en/senarai-fasiliti-kesihatan|archive-date=30 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Queen Elizabeth General Hospital, which is located along Penampang Road and named after Queen Elizabeth II, is the largest public hospital in the state with 589 beds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qeh.moh.gov.my/v2/node/3 |title=Sejarah Hospital |publisher=Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Malaysia) |access-date=1 July 2013 |language=ms |quote=Pada masa ini hospital Queen Elizabeth ialah hospital terbesar di negeri Sabah. Ia pusat rujukan untuk semua hospital daerah yang mengandungi 589 katil. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730173052/http://qeh.moh.gov.my/v2/node/3 |archive-date=30 July 2014 }}</ref> Built in 1957, it is the most important healthcare centre in the city and one of three general hospitals in Sabah. Queen Elizabeth Hospital II was established then after the acquisition of the former building of Sabah Medical Centre (SMC) in 2009. The second main government hospital are mainly used for heart centre. Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-kanak (Sabah Women and Children Hospital) serves as a referral hospital for children and women. Hospital Mesra Bukit Padang (Bukit Padang Mental Hospital), which opened in 1971, provides psychiatric services for the entire state.

KPJ Specialist Hospital is the largest private hospital with 245 beds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kpjsabah.com/patient-visitors.php |title=Patients and Visitors |publisher=KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital |access-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915143754/http://kpjsabah.com/patient-visitors.php |archive-date=15 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, five other large private health facilities are Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu with 200 beds,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gleneagleskk.com.my/about-us/ |title=About Us |publisher=Gleaneagles Kota Kinabalu |access-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915144227/http://gleneagleskk.com.my/about-us/ |archive-date=15 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Jesselton Medical Centre (JMC) with 73 beds,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jmc.my/about-us.php |title=About Us |publisher=Jesselton Medical Centre |access-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915142602/http://jmc.my/about-us.php |archive-date=15 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Damai Specialist Centre (DMC) with 56 beds<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kpjdamai.com/about-us.php |title=About Us |publisher=Damai Specialist Centre |access-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915145756/http://www.kpjdamai.com/about-us.php |archive-date=15 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Rafflesia Medical Centre (RMC) with 33 beds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafflesiamedicalcentre.com/ |title=Home |publisher=Rafflesia Medical Centre |access-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915150247/http://www.rafflesiamedicalcentre.com/ |archive-date=15 September 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Education=== {{See also|List of schools in Sabah}} thumb|left|Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic.

There are many government or state schools in and around the city. Among the well-established and prestigious boarding schools in Sabah is Sekolah Menengah Sains Sabah, formally known as Sekolah Berasrama Penuh Sabah (SBPS), which was in Bukit Padang, currently located at Tuaran district, Sabah.<ref name="sys">{{cite web|title=SENARAI SEKOLAH MENENGAH DI NEGERI SABAH (List of Secondary Schools in Sabah) – See Kota Kinabalu|url=http://emisportal.moe.gov.my/emis/emis2/emisportal2/doc/fckeditor/File/senarai_sek_09/menengah/SabahM.pdf|publisher=Educational Management Information System|access-date=24 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110144612/http://emisportal.moe.gov.my/emis/emis2/emisportal2/doc/fckeditor/File/senarai_sek_09/menengah/SabahM.pdf|archive-date=10 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other secondary schools are KK High School, SM La Salle, Sekolah Menengah Shan Tao, Sekolah Menengah Taman Tun Fuad, Sekolah Menengah Likas, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Perempuan Likas, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St. Francis Convent, Sekolah Menengah All Saints, Sekolah Menengah Stella Maris, Sekolah Menengah Saint Michael, Maktab Sabah, Sekolah Menengah Lok Yuk, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Kota Kinabalu and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tun Ahmadshah.<ref name=sys/>

There are independent private schools in the city. Among them are Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School, Kian Kok Middle School, Maktab Nasional and Seri Insan Secondary School.<ref>{{cite web|title=Private Schools (List)|url=http://www.kidsinkk.com/private_schools.html|publisher=Kids in KK|access-date=22 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007111745/http://kidsinkk.com/private_schools.html|archive-date=7 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Classes usually begin at 7 am and end at 1 pm except for boarding schools where classes begins as early as 6.30 am and end at 2 pm. Children age 7 must attend primary education, which consists of six years of learning, while those age 13 can pursue their studies in lower secondary education for three years. After completing their Lower Secondary Examination, students enter Upper Secondary education, where they will be streamed into either the Science or the Arts stream based on their examination results. Students who choose to study at boarding schools will be placed into the Science stream. Currently, there are four boarding schools in Sabah.

[[File:KotaKinabalu-Universiti-Malaysia-Sabah-LamanCanselori-1.jpg|thumb|UMS Chancellory Building.]] There are two international schools teaching the British Curriculum. Sayfol International School Sabah teaches from kindergarten to the GCE 'A' Levels, which is taken at age 18 (pre-university).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sayfolsabah.edu.my/v2/?page_id=196|title=Our School|publisher=Sayfol International School Sabah|access-date=24 October 2013|archive-date=20 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220203833/http://sayfolsabah.edu.my/v2/?page_id=196|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sayfol International School is the sister school of the established and highly successful Sayfol International School in Kuala Lumpur. Kinabalu International School (KIS) is part of the Federation of British International Schools in South and East Asia (FOBISSEA). Both English medium schools are in Bukit Padang. Other international schools are the Kinabalu Japanese School, one of four Japanese schools in Malaysia and the Kota Kinabalu Indonesian School.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kinabalu Japanese School |url=http://www.sabah.edu.my/kjs/index.html |access-date=22 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823043829/http://www.sikk.edu.my/ |archive-date=23 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kota Kinabalu Indonesian School|url=http://www.sabah.edu.my/kjs/index.html|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823043829/http://www.sikk.edu.my/|archive-date=23 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both schools cater to children of Japanese and Indonesian expatriates working and living around the city.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), founded in 1994, is the largest university in Sabah. Its main campus is on a {{convert|999|acre|km2|adj=on}} piece of land, on a hill facing the South China Sea at Sepanggar Bay, about 10 kilometres north of the city centre. A 6 hectare botanical garden was proposed for its campus in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2010/05/08/ums-to-have-a-6ha-botanical-garden-in-its-campus/|title=UMS to have a 6ha botanical garden in its campus|agency=Bernama|work=The Star|date=8 May 2010|access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref> It has branch campuses in Labuan and Sandakan. The oldest university in Sabah is Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah which was co-founded by UiTM and Yayasan Sabah in 1973. It has been certified by the Kota Kinabalu City Hall as a litter-free university.<ref>{{cite news|title=UiTM Sabah is Now a Litter Free University |author=UiTM Cawangan Sabah |url=http://sabah.uitm.edu.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=237:uitm-sabah-is-now-a-litter-free-university&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=172 |newspaper=UiTM Sabah |date=27 August 2010 |access-date=27 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616215551/http://sabah.uitm.edu.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=237%3Auitm-sabah-is-now-a-litter-free-university&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=172 |archive-date=16 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

There are private universities / colleges and one polytechnic operating in the city, which are City University Malaysia (Sabah Campus),<ref name="MOHE">{{Cite web|url=https://mohe.gov.my/en/broadcast/activities/kampus-baharu-city-university-malaysia-di-sabah-beri-impak-positif-sektor-pendidikan-tinggi-negeri|title=Kampus Baharu City University Malaysia Di Sabah Beri Impak Positif Sektor Pendidikan Tinggi Negeri|access-date=8 January 2025|website=mohe.gov.my|archive-date=8 January 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108071210/https://mohe.gov.my/en/broadcast/activities/kampus-baharu-city-university-malaysia-di-sabah-beri-impak-positif-sektor-pendidikan-tinggi-negeri|url-status=dead}}</ref> Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, AlmaCrest International College, INTI College, Kinabalu Commercial College, Jesselton College, Informatics College, Kota Kinabalu Polytechnic and Institut Sinaran.<ref>{{cite web|title=Industrial Training Guideline – Industry Partner|url=http://politeknik.gov.my/webjpp2/industri/files/Cover.pdf|publisher=Jabatan Pengajian Politeknik, Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi Malaysia|page=13|access-date=6 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016055703/http://politeknik.gov.my/webjpp2/industri/files/Cover.pdf|archive-date=16 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Many affluent residents send their children overseas to pursue secondary or tertiary education.

thumb|Sabah State Library headquarters in the state.

===Libraries=== The Sabah State Library Headquarters is located on Tasik Road Off Maktab Gaya Road while its main branch in Tanjung Aru is sandwiched between Perdana Park and the Plaza Tanjung Aru along Mat Salleh Road as the main library in the state. Other public libraries include the Kota Kinabalu City (Regional) Library, Penampang Branch Library and Menggatal Village Library. They are operated by the Sabah State Library department.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ssl.sabah.gov.my/aboutus/introduction.asp|title=Introduction|publisher=Sabah State Library Online|access-date=9 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015405/http://www.ssl.sabah.gov.my/aboutus/introduction.asp|archive-date=30 September 2007}}</ref> Other libraries or private libraries can be found in schools, colleges, or universities.<ref name="tg1">{{cite web|url=http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/iczm/Reports/Coastal%20Profile%20Sabah/ch16/16-SOCIAL%20FACILITIES.html|title=16 SOCIAL FACILITIES|publisher=Sabah State Government|access-date=22 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610144238/http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/iczm/Reports/Coastal%20Profile%20Sabah/ch16/16-SOCIAL%20FACILITIES.html|archive-date=10 June 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Free Wi-Fi zones=== {{see also|Municipal wireless network}} On 23 September 2017, the KK City WiFi was announced for public and tourist use in the city with free internet access through high speed fibre via a new submarine cable connecting West and East Malaysia. Each user is entitled to 10GB of quota with no access time limit every day. The first phase covering the area from Tun Fuad Stephens Road to Pantai Road – Tugu Road, Lintasan Deasoka, Kg. Air and Shell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/19196|title=City WiFi benefits locals and tourists|author=DK Ryni Qareena|work=New Sabah Times|date=21 October 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022155806/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/19196|archive-date=22 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Culture and leisure==

===Attractions and recreation spots===

====Cultural==== [[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah Sabah-State-Museum-01.jpg|thumb|Sabah State Museum, the main museum of Sabah.]]

There are a number of cultural venues in Kota Kinabalu. The Sabah State Museum, situated near the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, is the main museum of Sabah.<ref name=bk1/> In the vicinity of the museum are the Science and Technology Centre, Sabah Art Gallery, and the Ethno Botanic Gardens. Wisma Budaya Art Gallery in the city centre hosts some national as well as regional art exhibitions. The Hongkod Koisaan building in Penampang is home to the Kadazan-Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA).<ref>{{cite news|first=Murib |last=Morpi |title=Hongkod Koisaan impresses with new look |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/06/01/hongkod-koisaan-impresses-with-new-look/ |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231634/http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/06/01/hongkod-koisaan-impresses-with-new-look/ |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It hosts the annual Kaamatan or Harvest Festival and the Unduk Ngadau beauty contest, which is held concurrently, in May. Monsopiad Cultural Village (Kampung Monsopiad) features cultural shows related to the Kadazan-Dusun culture. It is named after the legendary Kadazan-Dusun headhunting warrior, Monsopiad.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monsopiad |url=http://www.sabah.edu.my/kds/kisah-kisah.htm#Monsopiad |language=ms |publisher=Sabah.edu.my |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231245/http://www.sabah.edu.my/kds/kisah-kisah.htm#Monsopiad |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Historical==== [[File:Kota Kinabalu Atkinson Clocktower 0002.jpg|thumb|Atkinson Clock Tower, one of the historical landmarks in the city.]]

The Merdeka Square ({{langx|ms|Padang Merdeka}}) or also known as "Town Field" is the site where the declaration of Sabah's independence and formation of Malaysia took place.<ref name="am1">{{cite web|title=A meaningful national holiday |url=http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/9/16/southneast/7033373&sec=southneast |author=Nur Adika Bujang |work=The Star |date=16 September 2010 |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917091656/http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/9/16/southneast/7033373&sec=southneast |archive-date=17 September 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The declaration was announced by Sabah's first Chief Minister, Tun Fuad Stephens, on 16 September 1963, also known as Malaysia Day.<ref name=am1/> Today the site hosts the annual City Day celebration on 2 February, Merdeka Day celebration on 31 August, and a number of other celebrations and functions.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

The Atkinson Clock Tower near Bandaran Berjaya was built by Mary Edith Atkinson in 1905 in memory of her son, Francis George Atkinson.<ref name="stella">Stella Moo (2005) [https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B3Z-Vym22IgeME01VUEtYjVKQXc The Atkinson Memorial Clock Tower – Commemorating its Centenary], Sabah Society Journal Vol 22 (2005)</ref> It was formerly used as a navigation aid for ships.<ref name=stella/> It is only one of three pre-World War II buildings to survive the war.<ref name=bk1/> The Petagas War Memorial, located near KKIA, is a reminder of those who died when they went against the Japanese forces during World War II. It is situated at the place where the Kinabalu Guerrillas were killed by the Japanese army in 1944. The Double Six Monument, located in Sembulan, is also a memorial to remember Sabah's first Chief Minister and six other state ministers who died on a plane crash known as the Double Six Tragedy on 6 June 1976.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://my.news.yahoo.com/double-six-monument-helps-boosting-sabahs-tourism-yong-090134565.html|title=Double Six Monument Helps in Boosting Sabah's Tourism – Yong|work=Yahoo! News|date=6 June 2013|access-date=11 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140930044413/http://my.news.yahoo.com/double-six-monument-helps-boosting-sabahs-tourism-yong-090134565.html|archive-date=30 September 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Leisure and conservation areas==== thumb|left|Panorama of Sabah Golf & Country Club. There are many leisure spots and conserved areas in and around Kota Kinabalu. Anjung Samudra (KK Waterfront) is a waterfront entertainment spot in the city centre which features restaurants, cafes, pubs, and a nightclub. The Royal Sabah Turf Club in Tanjung Aru hosts weekly horse racing events but has since closed and moved to Tambalang Race Course in Tuaran due to the expansion of Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The North Borneo Railway, which begins its journey from Tanjung Aru station, offers a scenic tour of the countryside in the West Coast Division and the Interior Division.<ref name=nb1/> The railway journey ends in the town of Tenom.<ref name=nb1/> Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club near the city centre was built on reclaimed land.<ref name=bk1/> It features a golf and country club, a marina, and two hotels.

[[File:Kota Kinabalu Beach.JPG|thumb|Sunset at Tanjung Aru beach. Sulug Island can be seen on the left and Manukan Island on the right of the horizon.]] Tanjung Aru, located about 10 kilometres, 6 miles, from the city centre, is one of the beaches along the West Coast. Its name was derived from the casuarina trees (locally called Aru trees) that grow on the shoreline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabahtourism.com/destination/tanjung-aru-beach|title=Tanjung Aru Beach|publisher=Sabah Tourism Board|access-date=6 October 2014}}</ref> The beach is 3 kilometres in length. The entrance car parking area to Tanjung Aru has increase in size as the previous building that were on the site have been demolished in 2017. In the vicinity of Tanjung Aru lies the Kinabalu Golf Club, Prince Philip Botanical Park, KK Yacht Club, and Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Beach Resort. Prince Philip Park is freely accessible to the public, while the others need permission. This beach is known for its sunset views.<ref>{{cite news|title=Major facelift for Tg Aru |url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=80209 |work=Daily Express |date=1 January 2012 |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193940/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=80209 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Tindall |last=Monica |title=Beach paradise within minutes to KK city |url=http://www.nst.com.my/red/beach-paradise-within-minutes-to-kk-city-1.248382 |work=New Straits Times |date=5 April 2013 |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620120038/http://www.nst.com.my/red/beach-paradise-within-minutes-to-kk-city-1.248382 |archive-date=20 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Manukan island boat.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Manukan Island|Manukan Island boat ride from Kota Kinabalu.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onceinalifetimejourney.com/reviews/hotel-resorts/manukan-island-resort/|title=Manukan Island Resort in Malaysia n Borneo for Pristine Island Living|date=24 October 2017 |publisher=Once in a Lifetime Journey|access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref>]] Located within the Likas Bay area is the Kota Kinabalu City Bird Sanctuary. With an area of {{convert|24|acre|ha}}, it is one of the few remaining patches of mangrove forest that once existed extensively along the coastal region of Kota Kinabalu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabah.org.my/kkcbs/|title=About KKW|publisher=Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society|access-date=24 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430234102/http://www.sabah.org.my/kkcbs/|archive-date=30 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was conserved in September 1996 by the State Government to assist and foster a better understanding and awareness of the value of wetlands. The Sabah Zoological and Botanical Park (Lok Kawi Wildlife Park) in Lok Kawi, about 20 kilometres south of the city, is the first zoo in Sabah. Set on a {{convert|280|acre|km2|adj=on}} piece of land, it is arguably the largest zoo in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=32749|title=Sabah's first zoo ready soon|work=Daily Express|location=Malaysia|date=22 February 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513025756/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=32749|archive-date=13 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

200px|thumb|left|The boardwalk in Kota Kinabalu at dusk. Tun Fuad Stephens Park, located in Bukit Padang, is used for jogging and hiking by locals. It is surrounded by forests and also features a man-made lake. It has a few food stalls and restaurants. Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a State Park consisting of the islands of Sapi, Mamutik, Manukan, Sulug and Gaya.<ref name=bk1/> It is used for snorkelling. The park is about a 10 to 15 minutes boat ride away from the city ferry terminal. Babagon River in Penampang and Kiansom Falls near Inanam are also places visited for picnics and leisure bathing.<ref>{{cite news|first=Hee Hui |last=Tan |title=Diversity in splendor |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/22/diversity-splendor.html |work=The Jakarta Post |date=22 February 2009 |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512230803/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/02/22/diversity-splendor.html |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Outside the city, Crocker Range Park, occupying a stretch of c. 20 x 80 km of the Crocker Range mountain chain to the city's southeast (roughly between Tenom and Tambunan, is a common spot for jungle trekking and camping. Kota Kinabalu is also the gateway to one of the most popular conservation areas in Malaysia, Kinabalu Park.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Sabah Parks|access-date=22 May 2013|title=Kinabalu Park|url=http://www.sabahparks.org.my/pages/kinapark.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804033903/http://www.sabahparks.org.my/pages/kinapark.html|archive-date=4 August 2008}}</ref> The park is a two-hour drive away from the city and Mount Kinabalu, which is the 10th highest peak in South-East Asia and the highest in Malaysia, is located there. The Rafflesia Forest Reserve near Tambunan, which is 30 kilometres away from Kota Kinabalu, is also within the Crocker Range National Park boundary. One of the smaller species of Rafflesia, R. pricei, can be found there. The Gunung Emas Highland Resort is also nearby. The Tuaran Crocodile Farm, about 30 kilometres north of the city, has around 1400 crocodiles in its enclosure, making it the largest of its kind in Sabah.<ref>{{cite news|first=P.K. |last=Cheah |title=Rocking round the crocs |url=http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/6/25/southneast/18072810&sec=southneast |location=Kota Kinabalu |work=The Star |date=25 June 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221090204/http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2007/6/25/southneast/18072810&sec=southneast |archive-date=21 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Other sights==== [[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah Freemason-Hall-Kota-Kinabalu-01.jpg|thumb|right|The Jesselton Freemason Hall on top of a hill in the city.]] The Tun Mustapha Tower (formerly Sabah Foundation Building) is about a 10-minute drive from the city centre. This 30-storey glass building is supported by high-tensile steel rods, one of only three buildings in the world that is built using this method.<ref>{{cite web|title=Menara Tun Mustapha (Sabah Foundation Building) |url=http://www.sabahtourism.com/sabah-malaysian-borneo/en/destination/3-menara-tun-mustapha-sabah-foundation-building/ |location=Kota Kinabalu |work=Sabah Tourism |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529042718/http://www.sabahtourism.com/sabah-malaysian-borneo/en/destination/3-menara-tun-mustapha-sabah-foundation-building/ |archive-date=29 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Other buildings and sites in the city are the stilt villages found in the areas of Sembulan, Tanjung Aru, Kampung Likas, and Kampung Pondo in Gaya Island.<ref>{{cite web|title=Making Sembulan clean and beautiful |url=http://insightsabah.gov.my/article/read/1849 |location=Kota Kinabalu |work=Insight Sabah |date=8 July 2012 |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309112322/http://insightsabah.gov.my/article/read/1849 |archive-date=9 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> These houses are built on shallow coastal waters and are homes for the Bajau and Suluk inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web|title=What freediving does to the body |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12151830 |location=United Kingdom |work=BBC News |date=12 January 2011 |access-date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608105215/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12151830 |archive-date=8 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Sabah State Mosque in Sembulan is the main mosque in the city. The City Mosque on Likas Bay is another significant landmark in the city. On top of a hill in the city, there is also a freemason hall.

thumb|right|The Signal Hill Observatory on top of a hill along Jalan Asrama. The Signal Hill Observatory viewing platform and snack shop is accessible via steps leading up from the near the City Centre. It is the highest point in Kota Kinabalu and offers sweeping, scenic, unobstructed views of the city and the islands beyond.<ref name=bk1/>

====Shopping==== {{See also|List of shopping malls in Malaysia}} [[File:KotaKinabalu Sabah SuriaSabah-03.jpg|thumb|Suria Sabah during the 2013 Chinese New Year celebrations, this is also one of the shopping malls in the city.]]

Kota Kinabalu also features a number of shopping malls. These include Imago KK Times Square, Oceanus Waterfront Mall, Karamunsing Complex, Centre Point, Wisma Merdeka, Warisan Square, Plaza Wawasan, Asia City Complex,<ref name=bk1/> City Mall, KK Plaza, Mega Long Mall, Suria Sabah and 1Borneo, which is the largest hypermall in Kota Kinabalu.<ref name="sabahbah">{{cite news|url=http://sabahbah.com/shopping/|title=Shopping (Kota Kinabalu)|work=sabahbah.com|location=Malaysia|access-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102014929/http://sabahbah.com/shopping/|archive-date=2 January 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Karamunsing, where Karamunsing Complex is situated, is an area that has more computer shops per capita than anywhere else in Sabah.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.beautifulkk.com/2007/11/25/awaken-of-the-sleepy-giant|title=Komplex Karamunsing|work=beautifulkk.com|location=Malaysia|access-date=21 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924021211/http://beautifulkk.com/2007/11/25/awaken-of-the-sleepy-giant/|archive-date=24 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The weekly Gaya Street Sunday Market features a gathering of local hawkers selling a wide range of items from traditional ethnic cultural souvenirs to pets and flowers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sabahtourism.com/sabah-malaysian-borneo/en/destination/1-gaya-street-sunday-market/ |title=Gaya Street (Sunday Market) |work=sabahtourism.com |location=Malaysia |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617005232/http://sabahtourism.com/sabah-malaysian-borneo/en/destination/1-gaya-street-sunday-market/ |archive-date=17 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Anjung Kinabalu (formerly known as the Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market) features vendors selling traditional handicrafts, souvenirs and foodstuffs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://travel.okezone.com/read/2013/04/25/407/797498/dari-sabah-wajib-bawa-bekantan |title=Dari Sabah, Wajib Bawa Bekantan! |work=okezone.com |language=id |date=25 April 2013 |access-date=21 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531172936/http://travel.okezone.com/read/2013/04/25/407/797498/dari-sabah-wajib-bawa-bekantan |archive-date=31 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Entertainment==== [[File:KotaKinabalu_Sabah_SuriaSabah-08.jpg|thumb|Golden Screen Cinemas which is located at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall.]] There are six cinemas in Kota Kinabalu: 2 Golden Screen Cinemas (commonly known as GSC), MBO cinemas located at Imago Mall Kota Kinabalu Times Square, City Cineplex at City Mall, Growball Cineplex at Centre Point Mall and Megalong Cineplex at Megalong Mall. One of the GSC cinemas is located at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.gsc.com.my/Cinemas/Cinemas.aspx?search=suriasabah_23|title=Golden Screen Cinemas :: SURIA SABAH|publisher=Golden Screen Cinemas|location=Malaysia|access-date=11 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005081123/http://www.gsc.com.my/Cinemas/Cinemas.aspx?search=suriasabah_23|archive-date=5 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> while the other is located at 1Borneo.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www1.gsc.com.my/Cinemas/Cinemas.aspx?search=1borneokk_22|title=Golden Screen Cinemas :: 1BORNEO|publisher=Golden Screen Cinemas|location=Malaysia|access-date=22 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005081208/http://www.gsc.com.my/Cinemas/Cinemas.aspx?search=1borneokk_22|archive-date=5 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both GSC cinemas hold eight cinema halls each.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/print/38877|title=GSC launches first digital 3D cinema hall in Suria Sabah|work=New Sabah Times|author=CASEY LEE|access-date=11 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402190621/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/print/38877|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1Borneo Hypermall and Sutera Harbour Marina have bowling alleys and pool tables.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.asiatravel.com/malaysia/suteraharbour/facilities.html|title=Facilities|publisher=Asia Travel|access-date=24 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020031633/http://www.asiatravel.com/malaysia/suteraharbour/facilities.html|archive-date=20 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> MBO Cinemas with a capacity of 1,038 is located in Imago Mall, KK Times Square.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mbocinemas.com/our-cinema.aspx|title=Our Cinemas (Locate Us)|publisher=MBO Cinemas|access-date=27 November 2015|archive-date=21 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121004933/http://www.mbocinemas.com/our-cinema.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Sports=== [[File:Aerial View Of Likas Sports Complex.jpg|left|thumb|An aerial view of Likas Sport Complex with Likas Stadium, which is the home stadium for Sabah F.C.]] The Likas Sports Complex in Kota Kinabalu provides various sporting and recreational facilities for public use.<ref name=tg1/> It has, among others, a 20,000-seater football (soccer) stadium,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstadiums.com/asia/countries/malaysia.shtml|title=Stadiums in Malaysia (Likas Stadium)|publisher=World Stadiums|access-date=24 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327083902/http://www.worldstadiums.com/asia/countries/malaysia.shtml|archive-date=27 March 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> badminton, tennis, and squash courts, a gymnasium, an Olympic size swimming pool, a driving range, hockey fields and a new Youth Challenge park consisting of an international standard skate park and indoor climbing centre. It is the largest sports complex in the state and has hosted numerous national as well as international sporting events.<ref name=tg1/> Likas Stadium is the home stadium of Sabah F.C., also known as ''SabaHawks''. There is another sports complex in Penampang which also has a full-sized football stadium.

There are four golf courses in Kota Kinabalu, namely the Sabah Golf and Country Club in Bukit Padang, Kinabalu Golf Club in Tanjung Aru, Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club, and Karambunai Golf and Country Club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swingbyswing.com/courses/malaysia/sabah/kota-kinabalu |title=Golf Courses in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia |publisher=Swing by Swing GOLF |access-date=24 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205520/http://www.swingbyswing.com/courses/malaysia/sabah/kota-kinabalu |archive-date=29 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kota Kinabalu has hosted a number of national sporting events such as the 2002 Sukma Games, international tournaments such as the 1994 Karate World Championships<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Karate Records|access-date=21 December 2013|url=http://www.karaterec.com/en/contests/world-championship-1994/|title=World Championship 1994 – 08.12.1994 – 11.12.1994|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907011408/http://www.karaterec.com/en/contests/world-championship-1994/|archive-date=7 September 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the 2008 BWF Super Series Masters Finals badminton tournament.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Taipei Times|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2008/12/19/2003431531|title=Lee Chong Wei claims win at Kota Kinabalu tourney|date=19 December 2008|access-date=20 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014172635/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2008/12/19/2003431531|archive-date=14 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is also the starting point of the annual international Borneo Safari 4x4 Challenge.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=mysinchew.com|title=Borneo 4x4 Safari 2008|date=31 July 2008|access-date=20 December 2008|url=http://www.mysinchew.com/node/14488|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022190754/http://www.mysinchew.com/node/14488|archive-date=22 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Kota Kinabalu has been one of the circuits for the F2 Powerboat UIM World Cup Series in December every year since 2007.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Star |title=F2000 powerboat race heads for Sabah |date=10 October 2007 |access-date=18 August 2009 |url=http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2007/10/10/sports/20071010120504 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030103219/http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2007/10/10/sports/20071010120504 |archive-date=30 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Music=== Kota Kinabalu is home to one of Asia's favourite jazz festivals, the KK Jazz Festival. It has become an annual event.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah|title=City Hall supports KK Jazz Festival|date=12 June 2012|access-date=21 May 2013|url=http://kepkas.sabah.gov.my/2012/06/12/city-hall-supports-kk-jazz-festival/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618232539/http://kepkas.sabah.gov.my/2012/06/12/city-hall-supports-kk-jazz-festival/|archive-date=18 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> International performers such as Son2nos (Venezuela), award-winning Korean jazz diva Nah Youn Sun, Hong Kong's Junk Unit, Malaysia's Double Take, Atilia and Mood Indigo from UK have all previously performed at the festival.<ref>{{cite news|author=Ariel Chew|publisher=Virtual Malaysia|title=4th Edition of KK Jazz Festival Returns in June|date=2 June 2010|access-date=20 August 2010|url=http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/news/4th%20edition%20of%20kk%20jazz%20festival%20returns%20in%20june%202010.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229100823/http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/news/4th%20edition%20of%20kk%20jazz%20festival%20returns%20in%20june%202010.html|archive-date=29 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Coinciding with UNESCO's International Jazz Day celebrations in 2019, the year marks the inauguration of Sabah Jazz in Kota Kinabalu with the showcases of local jazz artists as well as from the region. Among those who performed include Grupo Da Bossa, Gordon Horace Chin, Hady Afro, Joe Balanjiu Jr and La Sambusa Latina from Argentina. Sabah Jazz is set to be held annually.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=134578|title=Music lovers throng inaugural Sabah Jazz|author=Ricardo Unto|newspaper=Daily Express|date=29 April 2019|access-date=30 April 2019}}</ref>

BandWidth Street Press Magazine is Kota Kinabalu's only free monthly magazine that promotes local Sabah music. The magazine was launched in March 2009, and was supported by the local government and was referred by Sabah's Minister of Culture, Environment & Tourism, YB Datuk Masidi Manjun, as a publication that will introduce and promote new local musicians while serving up the latest information on the local entertainment scene.<ref>{{cite news|work=New Sabah Times|title=Local music industry has government's support |date=25 May 2009 |access-date=20 August 2010 |url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/28850 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512163615/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/28850 |archive-date=12 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==International relations== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia#Kota Kinabalu|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia}} Several countries have set up their consulates in Kota Kinabalu, including Australia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/countries/myko.html|title=Australian Consulate in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia|publisher=Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade|access-date=11 June 2013|archive-date=4 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204224910/http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/countries/myko.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Brunei,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofat.gov.bn/index.php/directory-of-missions-abroad/item/522-consulate-general-of-brunei-darussalam-in-kota-kinabalu-sabah-malaysia|title=Consulate General of Brunei Darussalam in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei|access-date=3 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606224737/http://www.mofat.gov.bn/index.php/directory-of-missions-abroad/item/522-consulate-general-of-brunei-darussalam-in-kota-kinabalu-sabah-malaysia|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> China,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2015-04/27/content_35432833.htm|title=China opens consulate office in Malaysia's Sabah state|work=Xinhua News Agency|publisher=China Internet Information Center|date=27 April 2015|access-date=27 April 2015}}</ref> Czech Republic,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=120476|title=Opening of Czech Honorary Consulate boon to Sabah: Musa|newspaper=Daily Express|date=15 October 2017|access-date=15 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015105003/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=120476|archive-date=15 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Denmark,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://malaysia.um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/danish-consulates/ |title=Danish Consulates |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark |access-date=3 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606223459/http://malaysia.um.dk/en/travel-and-residence/danish-consulates/ |archive-date=6 June 2014 }}</ref> France,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ambafrance-my.org/Consulate|title=Consulate|publisher=Embassy of France in Kuala Lumpur|access-date=3 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606210718/http://www.ambafrance-my.org/Consulate|archive-date=6 June 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Finland,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finland.org.my/public/default.aspx?nodeid=38561&contentlan=2&culture=en-US|title=Contact information: Honorary Consulate of Finland, Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia)|publisher=Embassy of Finland, Kuala Lumpur|access-date=11 June 2013|archive-date=12 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112173344/http://www.finland.org.my/public/default.aspx?nodeid=38561&contentlan=2&culture=en-US|url-status=dead}}</ref> Indonesia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kemlu.go.id/kotakinabalu/Pages/CountryProfile.aspx?l=en|title=Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, Kota Kinabalu|publisher=Consulate General of Indonesia, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715032652/http://www.kemlu.go.id/kotakinabalu/Pages/CountryProfile.aspx?l=en|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kotakinabalu.my.emb-japan.go.jp/en/index.html|title=Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia|publisher=Consular Office of Japan in Kota Kinabalu|access-date=11 June 2013}}</ref> Norway,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/146566/sabah-hosts-norway-s-only-consulate-in-malaysia/|title=Sabah hosts Norway's only Consulate in Malaysia|author=Ottey Peter|newspaper=Daily Express|date=21 January 2020|access-date=22 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121133308/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/146566/sabah-hosts-norway-s-only-consulate-in-malaysia/|archive-date=21 January 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> Panama,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kln.gov.my/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=ed4d8b4c-094c-4663-8e4c-9869e0209229&groupId=11026|title=Office Of The Honorary Consul General Of Panama, Malaysia [Diplomatic and Consular List)|work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia|date=November 2015|access-date=14 December 2024|page=256|format=PDF}}</ref> Romania,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mae.ro/en/romanian-missions/16235|title=Honorary Consulate of Romania in Kota Kinabalu|publisher=ROMANIA Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=11 June 2013}}</ref> Slovakia,<ref name="con">{{cite web|url=http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/malaysia/documents/eu_travel/hon_consulates_in_malaysia_en.pdf|title=Honorary Consulates in Malaysia|publisher=European External Action Service|access-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> South Korea,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/26/south-korea-opens-consulate-in-kk|title=South Korea opens consulate in KK|last=Lee|first=Stephanie|work=The Star|date=26 September 2023|access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> Spain,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/135074/spain-opens-consulate-in-sabah/|title=Spain opens Consulate in Sabah|author=David Thien|newspaper=Daily Express|date=12 May 2019|access-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512155607/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/135074/spain-opens-consulate-in-sabah/|archive-date=12 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sweden<ref name="con"/> and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/priority/supporting-british-nationals-in-malaysia |title=Supporting British nationals in Malaysia |quote=Working with local partners and honorary representatives in Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching to assist British nationals |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=4 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714210143/https://www.gov.uk/government/priority/supporting-british-nationals-in-malaysia |archive-date=14 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://iguide.travel/Kota_Kinabalu/Communication/Consulates|title=Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide – Mapcarta|publisher=Iguide.travel|access-date=14 November 2012}}</ref> In 2018, Russia set up their branch office of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture (RCSC) to expanding the existing co-operation between Malaysia and Russia in the culture, economic and education spheres.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2018/02/22/russian-centre-of-science-and-culture-opening-in-kk/|title=Russian Centre of Science and Culture opening in KK|author=Chok Sim Yee|newspaper=The Borneo Post|date=22 February 2018|access-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223060531/https://www.theborneopost.com/2018/02/22/russian-centre-of-science-and-culture-opening-in-kk/|archive-date=23 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=122968|title=Russians set up branch in KK|author=Ricardo Unto|newspaper=Daily Express|date=22 February 2018|access-date=23 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223060708/http://dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=122968|archive-date=23 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Sister cities=== Kota Kinabalu's sister cities are: {{colbegin|colwidth=22em}} * {{flagicon|INA}} Balikpapan, Indonesia * {{flagicon|CHN}} Hangzhou, China<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotakinabalu.china-consulate.org/eng/zlgxw_2/t1400090.htm|title=Remarks by Consul-General CHEN Peijie at the National Day Reception|publisher=Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu|date=23 September 2016|access-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316232855/http://kotakinabalu.china-consulate.org/eng/zlgxw_2/t1400090.htm|archive-date=16 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/140828/kk-hangzhou-friendship-city-pact/|title=KK-Hangzhou friendship city pact|newspaper=Daily Express|date=21 September 2019|access-date=23 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923100219/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/140828/kk-hangzhou-friendship-city-pact/|archive-date=23 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="China-Sabah sister city relationship">{{cite web|url=http://www.sedia.com.my/sdc10/papers-NCEC/S5-5_PRC_english.pdf|title=Deepening Pragmatic Cooperation Between Sabah and China Jointly Build 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road|publisher=Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority|date=30 January 2018|access-date=27 September 2019|page=4|quote=In terms of local governmental exchanges, Kota Kinabalu has signed sister-city MOU with cities in China such as Heyuan, Jiangmen, Wuhan and Hangzhou.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927035540/http://www.sedia.com.my/sdc10/papers-NCEC/S5-5_PRC_english.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|CHN}} Heyuan, China<ref name="China-Sabah sister city relationship"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/print/57932 |title=Hakka communities of KK, Heyuan City, China have much in common |work=New Sabah Times|author=Teh, Michael |access-date=11 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019143256/http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/print/57932 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|CHN}} Jiangmen, China<ref name="China-Sabah sister city relationship"/><ref name="CHN & KOR">{{cite news|url= http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/kk-portland-sister-city-pact-could-see-us-craft-beer-coming-to-sabah |title=KK-Portland sister city pact could see US craft beer coming to Sabah |author=Julia Chan|newspaper=Malay Mail Online|date=20 March 2015 |access-date=7 January 2017 }}</ref> * {{flagicon|THA}} Ratchaburi, Thailand<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fad.moi.go.th/images/Knowlagde/list_%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A1.pdf|title=คู่ความสัมพันธ์เมืองพี่เมืองน้องระหว่างไทยกับต่างประเทศ (ณ วันที่31พฤษภาคม 2561)|trans-title=Sister relations between Thailand and foreign countries (As of 31 May 2018)|language=th|publisher=Foreign Affairs Division Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior, Thailand|access-date=27 September 2019|page=3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927034825/http://www.fad.moi.go.th/images/Knowlagde/list_%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%A1.pdf|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|RUS}} Vladivostok, Russia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.vlc.ru/inter/en/broth/index.htm|title=Vladivostok's Sister Cities|publisher=Vladivostok City Council|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727103930/http://old.vlc.ru/inter/en/broth/index.htm|archive-date=27 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|KOR}} Yeosu, South Korea<ref name="CHN & KOR"/> * {{flagicon|KOR}} Yongin, South Korea<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.yongin.go.kr/en1/yongin_history_view.asp?board_idx=95 |title=Friendship Visit to Yongin by Kota Kinabalu City |publisher=YONGIN City |date=18 March 2010 |access-date=5 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112172615/http://en.yongin.go.kr/en1/yongin_history_view.asp?board_idx=95 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gaok.or.kr/gaok/exchange/listRegion.do?relationType=101&menuNo=200161|title=지자체별|trans-title=By local government|language=ko|publisher=Governors Association of Korea|access-date=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927043110/https://www.gaok.or.kr/gaok/exchange/listRegion.do?relationType=101&menuNo=200161|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> {{colend}}

===Cooperation and friendship=== Kota Kinabalu also cooperates with: * {{flagicon|AUS}} Rockingham, Australia<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockingham.wa.gov.au/Community/What-s-on/Global-Friendship/Global-Friendship-activities|title=Global Friendship activities|publisher=City of Rockingham Website|access-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317081141/http://www.rockingham.wa.gov.au/Community/What-s-on/Global-Friendship/Global-Friendship-activities|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|CHN}} Wuhan, China<ref name="China-Sabah sister city relationship"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=100150|title=KK formally establishes relations with Wuhan|newspaper=Daily Express|date=27 May 2015|access-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317120542/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=100150|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> * {{flagicon|CHN}} Xi'an, China<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/07/23/dbkk-xian-association-to-sign-mou/|title=DBKK, X'ian association to sign MoU|newspaper=The Borneo Post|date=23 July 2019|access-date=26 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926020828/https://www.theborneopost.com/2019/07/23/dbkk-xian-association-to-sign-mou/|archive-date=26 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.xa.gov.cn/news/1705.htm|title=Xi'an seeks cooperation opportunities with Malaysia|publisher=Government of Xi'an|date=25 September 2019|access-date=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927040218/http://en.xa.gov.cn/news/1705.htm|archive-date=27 September 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notable people== * Penny Wong (b. 1968) - Australian Foreign Minister.

==References==

===Footnotes=== {{reflist}}

===Others=== * Sabah State Government and DANCED (Danish Co-operation for Environment and Development): {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071123095828/http://www.townplanning.sabah.gov.my/iczm/ICZM%20in%20Sabah/DataDict/Default.html Sabah Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)]}}

==Further reading== {{refbegin}} * {{cite report |last=Fleming |first=Tom |date=May 2021 |title=Malaysia: Kota Kinabalu Sabah |url=https://www.britishcouncil.my/sites/default/files/malaysia_cultural_cities_profile_kota_kinabalu_sabah.pdf |series=Cultural Cities Profile East Asia |location=Kuala Lumpur |publisher=British Council Malaysia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630184052/https://www.britishcouncil.my/sites/default/files/malaysia_cultural_cities_profile_kota_kinabalu_sabah.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2022 |access-date=8 April 2025}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikivoyage}} * [http://www.dbkk.sabah.gov.my/ Kota Kinabalu City Hall]

{{Greater Kota Kinabalu}} {{Sabah}} {{Navboxes | title = Articles related to Kota Kinabalu | list = {{Cities in Malaysia}} {{Most populous cities in Malaysia}} {{Largest cities of Malaysia}} {{Sabah Development Corridor}} }} {{Authority control}}

Category:Kota Kinabalu Category:Populated coastal places in Malaysia Category:Populated places established in 1899 Category:Ports and harbours of Malaysia Category:State capitals in Malaysia Category:1899 establishments in Asia Category:1899 establishments in the British Empire