Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) has temporarily halted plans to renovate its Kota Kinabalu branch at Jalan Pantai due to structural issues and is considering demolishing the over 50-year-old building instead to make way for a new proposed multi-storey office.

The Jalan Pantai branch is the first Maybank branch in Sabah. It was built in the 1960s and consists of four storeys.

Due to its strategic location, the Jalan Pantai branch is one of the busiest Maybank branches.

The branch has been shut down temporarily since October 14 last year for renovation while its services have been relocated to the Kampung Air branch. The renovation was expected to take around two months.

Panels had been seen erected at the perimeter of the branch as the contractor prepared to commence renovation of the building.

However, an engineer discovered structural issues with the building that has stood for over half a century.

Hence, it was learned that Maybank is currently mulling two options, including to rebuild a new multi-storey office.

A notice is attached at the Jalan Pantai branch informing customers of its temporary relocation with effect from October 14, 2017 owing to structural issues which will be rectified by remedial works in the course of the next few months.

Many Maybank customers, especially businesses and people staying close by, have expressed the inconvenience caused by the sudden closure of the Jalan Pantai branch.