Kundasang is a hill station in the district of Ranau in Sabah, Malaysia that lies along the bank of Kundasang Valley within the Crocker Range, and also neighboring the town of Pekan Nabalu. It is located about 6 kilometres away from Kinabalu National Park, 15.6 kilometres from Ranau town and is renowned for its vegetable market which is open seven days a week. It is the closest town to Mount Kinabalu and has a panoramic view of the mountain. It is populated mainly by the native Dusun and a small population of Chinese people. Almost all the shops are operated by locals.
At an elevation of almost 1,900 m (6,200 ft), it is the highest settlement in Malaysia. Kundasang is also famously known as the New Zealand of Borneo for its unique mountainous geographical terrain almost similar to New Zealand.
The memorial is on a hill immediately behind the vegetable wholesale stalls. Major G. S. Carter, D.S.O. (Toby Carter) a New Zealander employed with Shell Oil Co. (Borneo) initiated the building of the Memorial in 1962, together with the launching of Kinabalu Park to commemorate the 2,428 Australian and British prisoners who died during World War II at the Sandakan POW Camp, and the casualties of the three infamous forced death marches from Sandakan to Ranau. It also serves as a tribute to the many local people who risked their lives while aiding the prisoners of war. Only six Australians survived in this tragedy to tell their horror and there were no English survivors.
The fort-like Memorial was designed by J.C. Robinson, a local architect. It has four interlocking but separate gardens to represent the homelands of those who died: an Australian Garden, a formal English Garden of roses, a Borneo Garden with wild flowers of Kinabalu and at the top level is the 'Contemplation Garden' with a reflection pool and pergola.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Memorial was restored in 2005 by Mr Sevee Charuruks and with his own personal funds. No government funding was available during the major restoration project in 2005. However, years later help came from the Australian Government in the form of several grants.
The Australian Government Grants aided in:
The building of a perimeter fence around the Memorial. The Estimated grant: RM120,000
The building of the Australian Memorial Hall to enable visitors to view WW2 Documentary Films. The Estimated grant: RM350,000
The Demolishment & Re-construction of concrete wall of Contemplation Garden. The Estimated grant: RM120,000
The Construction of Confrontation Memorial. The Estimated grant: RM14,000
In recognition of his hard work and commitment to the Kundasang War Memorial, in 2007 Queen Elizabeth II awarded Mr Charuruks the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). Later in 2012, the Australian Government awarded Mr Charuruks the Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
The Gardens have been replanted with flowers, particularly roses and rare orchids that include the Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (Rothschild's slipper orchid). The Memorial is open to all visitors not only to view the gardens but to remember those who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of others.
ANZAC Memorial Services and private Memorial Services are welcomed with prior arrangements. The Memorial is open to visitors with minimal entrance fees charged. An access road with ramp allows easy access for wheelchair users.
Vegetable wholesale stalls
Fruits such as rambutan, salak, oranges and lemons can also be found at the vegetable stalls in Kundasang.
Beside the main road vegetables wholesalers can be found in a long row of wooden stalls (Malay: gerai). Bulk buyers come from all over the state of Sabah, Sarawak and even Brunei for the fresh harvest. Pick up trucks are seen laden fully with harvest from the farms nearby the valley and delivered to the stalls. Passing tourists and travellers also stop by the road for shopping at a good bargain with the stalls are open seven days a week.
Village
There are several small village fractions found in 'Kundasang among them;
No
Village Name
1
Kundasang Town(Center)
2
Kampung Lembah Permai
3
Kampung Cinta Mata
4
Kampung Kauluan
5
Kampung Mesilou
6
Kampung Mentoki
7
Kampung Bambangan
8
Kampung Desa Aman
9
Kampung Kinasaraban
10
Kampung Bundu Tuhan
11
Kampung Dumpiring
12
Kampung Desa Sunyi (Kundasang Lama)
13
Kampung Mohimboyon
14
Kampung Nosorob
15
Kampung Pinousok
16
Kampung Giman
17
Kampung Sinisian
18
Kampung Ratau
19
Kampung Karanaan
20
Kampung Kituntul
21
Kampung Lapai
22
Kampung Sinar
23
Kampung Liwagu
24
Kampung Muhibah
25
Kampung Kinandusan
26
Kampung Kiwawoi
27
Kampung Waang
28
Kampung Semuruh
29
Kampung Sosondoton
30
Kampung Tudan
31
Kampung Tinatasan
School
There are 13Elementary School and 2Secondary School in Kundasang, Which is:
No
School Name
Type of School
1
SK Kundasang
Elementary
2
SK Mesilou
3
SK Don Bosco
4
SK Bundu Tuhan
5
SK Kinasaraban
7
SK Kauluan
8
SK Lipasu
9
SK Mohimboyon
10
SK Waang
11
SK Pahu Himbaan
12
SK Tagudon Lama
13
SK Pinausuk
14
SMK Kundasang
Secondary
15
SMK Bundu Tuhan
Golf course
Mount Kinabalu Golf Club is located near the border of Kinabalu National Park at an altitude of approximately 2000 metres above sea level.
