KOTA KINABALU, July 3 — Perdana Park in Tanjung Aru is making its comeback tomorrow, after a prolonged and sporadic closure that began nearly two years ago.

The announcement follows a pre-opening inspection led by Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah, who walked the grounds yesterday to ensure the park is ready for the public.

The reopening marks a significant transition in governance, as management of the park has been officially handed over from the Sabah Ministry of Finance to the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK).

Visitors can access the park daily from 7am to 7pm. In a welcome move for regulars, parking will remain free until a digital payment system is implemented.

However, the return is a phased one. DBKK warned that several areas remain off-limits while safety assessments continue. These include the musical and interactive fountains, the water dispenser system, and the children's playground adjacent to the operations office.

DBKK also said that upgrading works will continue in stages to enhance visitor comfort and safety.

The public is also urged to exercise caution on the synthetic jogging track and in the playground, particularly during wet weather when surfaces can become slippery. To maintain order, activities such as fishing, swimming, barbecuing, camping, and hawking remain strictly prohibited, while any organised events now require prior approval from DBKK.

The park's journey to reopening has been fraught with setbacks. The original closure was triggered on September 11, 2024, after a series of otter attacks left two joggers injured, one severely.

While a reopening was initially slated for November of that year, inspections revealed a deeper problem: the park's infrastructure had fallen into extensive decay.

By December 2024, the park was closed indefinitely. A comprehensive audit uncovered a litany of failures, from rusted playground equipment and worn-out jogging tracks to broken fencing and non-functional water features. These issues drew sharp criticism from the local community, for whom the park is a cherished space for families and sunset seekers.

Originally opened in 2014 as a corporate social responsibility gift from Timatch Sdn Bhd to the Sabah state government, Perdana Park was a cornerstone of the Tanjung Aru Eco Development (TAED) initiative. For years, Timatch maintained the facility free of charge, covering substantial overheads, including RM200,000 a month for the fountains alone.