One of the most durable landmarks in Kota Kinabalu and notably on a bluff along Signal Hill Road neighbouring to the old Police Station, stands The Atkinson Tower. This all-wood, no-nails structure was built commencing 1902 (some says it 1903) but was fully uprighted in 1905, by Mary Edith Atkinson in memory of her son, Francis George Atkinson the popular first District Officer of Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu) during the British North Borneo Chartered Company Administration, who had succumbed to Malaria at the young age of 28.Apart from that, it was formerly used as a navigation aid for ships until it was overshadowed by taller buildings as in today. These days, this memorial has the peculiarity of being the oldest standing construction in the whole of Sabah that survived the air invasions and bombardment of World War II. Till today, it still dole out to keep the city's time.
But dated 22nd September 2010 wrote, “The 105-year old Atkinson Tower will be reduced to an 18ft midget if a proposed 16-storey shopping mall-hotel project goes ahead at the foot of Signal Hill” (Source)
I say what?! Come on people, we are talking the oldest structure in KK and now they want to reduce its height? Where’s the proud in that? Let’s fight for Atkinson Tower people. We can express our disapproval in whatever means but unless we take serious action, and I mean ACTION, we are just going to watch them alter Atkinson.
Just don’t stand there, do something. Distributing brochures, blogging, picketing, updating Facebook status, signatures to our CM, to the Mayor, to our MP; anything legal. Let our voices be heard! Save Atkinson Tower!
anak: daddy/mummy, apa ba itu tu yang macam jam tu?
bapa/mama: itula atikinson tower nak...
anak: owh..kenapa kana buat di sana?
bapa/mama: itu peringatan Pegawai Daerah KK yang pertama ba tu si Francis George Atkinson sama berfungsi juga sebagai rumah api dulu2...
anak:rumah api? kenapa pindik tu? kapal2 nampak ka tu dulu?
nah, jawab kamurang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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