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The Sabah Sports Board (SSB) will step up efforts to maintain its assets, including some toilets at the Penampang Sports Complex and a vacant land in Likas which belongs to the body.

This action was prompted by separate feedback from a Penampang jogger and Likas motorist about irregularities involving both properties.

The first was unhappy about the damaged fixtures in the toilets for the “Padang B (B Field)” at the Complex. The driver, on the other hand, spokeout about the traffic hazards posed by the overgrown greenery – especially the branches of some of trees – growing on the empty piece of land across the road from Wisma Wanita. 

Both individuals provided Hotline with the pertinent details regarding their grievances which were forwarded to the Board.

A SSB spokesman said a check was made of the “Padang B” and the undeveloped land off Mile 3½ Jalan Tuaran, shortly after the body was contacted by the media.

He explained that there were two toilets near the field: one for men, the other for women.

“Our personnel noticed that the handles of the faucets inside these units were missing,” he said.  “We suspect that they may have either been vandalised or fallen off through rough usage.”

He said staff with the Engineering Division for the Complex subsequently had new handles put in place.

“We intend to cordon off the toilets behind a metal grill to protect these amenities against misuse and ensure that they remain clean. Only those who book ‘Padang B’ will have access to the toilets, once the grill is put in place.”

He said the SSB had engaged janitorial staff to keep the toilets at the Complex clean.

“They wash the bowl and scrub down floor inside and outside the units regularly.  After the grill has been installed, this will be done if we receive a reservation from the public to make use of the field.” 

Where the empty SSB land near Wisma Wanita was concerned, the spokesman said a team of workers had since cut the grass and cleared the weeds on the property. He said it took two days to complete this work.

When asked if the overgrown trees on the periphery of the property had been dealt with, he said the body lacked the necessary equipment to prune the overgrown branches. 

“We are waiting to receive an allocation to acquire tools, such as handheld chainsaws, to trim the trees. In the meantime, we will periodically keep an eye on the condition of the land to make sure that it does not become unkempt in future.”

City Hall was initially informed about the motorist’s concerns.

A spokeswoman for the agency’s Landscaping Department said its personnel checked on the condition of the verge along the section of the road from the Jalan Tuaran junction to the one leading to Wisma Wanita. 

“They noted that the vacant had had become a jungle, with tall trees towering over the road nearby during this inspection,” she said. “Our staff theorised that the land may not have been maintained in years.”

She said a Landscaping team returned to the area several days later to clear the unkempt greenery from the road shoulders there. 

“Seven workers with our Special Unit cut the long grass up to six inches from the edge of the stretch and pruned the trees growing wild on the reserve land. A four-tonne open truck was deployed to assist in these efforts. 

The spokeswoman said, if need be, a “surat peringatan (reminder letter)” would be sent to the landowner to attend to the undeveloped property, including the overgrown trees, regularly. 

“Those with vacant land should preferably have their property maintained on a monthly basis so that it does not become a public nuisance.”

She said these individuals risked being charged in court, under Section 49 of the Local Government Ordinance 1961, if they failed to heed this advice and allowed their land to become unkempt.

Should they be found guilty, the administration faced the possibility of having to settle a fine for as much as RM1,000, according to her.