KOTA KINABALU, Aug. 1 -- Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) will propose to the state government that the historic Kota Kinabalu Community Hall be rebuilt rather than demolished, following a fire that destroyed much of the building earlier this week.

Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah confirmed that the blaze had gutted more than half of the iconic structure, particularly the wooden fittings and roof, and said the building would require significant reconstruction and refurbishment.

"The damage is more than 50 per cent, especially the roof, which collapsed, and also the walls - most of the fittings were made of wood and plywood. Those materials burned quickly. However, the concrete parts were not affected," he said at the launch of the Jalur Gem...