Prior to the formation of Penampang District Council in 1978, it was formerly known as JesseltonRural District Council. This auxiliary administrative body covered the whole of Penampang sub-district, Telipok town including areas up to Kampung Likas, Taman Foh Sang and Taman Stephen. The first head of JRDC was the District Officer of Jesselton, Mr. Blow D.S.O while the Chief Executive was the Assistant District Officer. The councillors comprising the district Chiefs namely: OKK Laiman Diki bin Siram, Majimbun Majangkim, Tan Pin Hing, Ewan Empok and Ahsai Ghani; Chinese Kapitan: Foo Ah Kau, Wong Nam Fatt, Chin Nyuk, Chin Tsun Yin and Ng Swee Hock ; Property Owners: Mr. W. C. Collard and Julius Makajil. In 1966, the Local Government Ordinance 1961 was amended whereby Councilors are to be appointed by the Minister of Local Government Sabah. When the name Jesselton was changed to Kota Kinabalu, Jesselton Rural District Council was also changed to Kota Kinabalu Rural District Council. In 1978, Kota Kinabalu Town Board was upgraded to Kota Kinabalu Municipal Council hence Kota Kinabalu Rural District Council became Penampang District Council.
Demographics
According to the last census in 2010, the population of the district is estimated to be around 121,934 inhabitants, with the majority of the population belong to the Kadazan-Dusunethnic groups and the Chinese. These followed by a minority of Bajau and Bruneian Malay. The Kadazan-Dusuns mainly practice Christianity, the majority of which are Roman Catholic. The Chinese mainly practice Buddhism or Christianity. Malays and Bajaus are Muslims. Penampang was one of the important sites for Roman Catholic early mission in North Borneo. St. Joseph's Foreign Mission Society of Mill Hill, a Roman Catholic mission organisation, began its early missionary works in Papar, Penampang and Sandakan in early 1880s. In 1927, Penampang became the centre of missionary activities in North Borneo and Labuan when Mgr. A. Wachter was appointed the Prefect Apostolic and subsequently made the Penampang mission as his headquarter. The mission work was undoubtedly an important catalyst not only in religion dissemination among the native population of Penampang but also in providing education. The population is divided among the larger communities and the total area of the district as follows:
Penampang District
121,934 inhabitants
Donggongon
1,387
Kasigui
1,133
Kepayan
25,788
Remaining areas
93,616
Economy
Historically, the main economic activity in Penampang has been the cultivation of wet rice and other agricultural-based economies. In recent years, due to rapid economic boom and its close proximity to Kota Kinabalu, Penampang observes a rapid growth in the secondary and tertiary sectors of economy resulting in a major decline in the traditional agricultural activities. Lands traditionally used for cultivation of wet rice are increasingly sold for commercial and industrial purposes despite prohibition by the local authorities.
Education
is situated in Penampang. It is one of the daily public schools in Sabah. In addition to the school above, Penampang district also hosts to other secondary and primary schools such as SMK Datuk Peter Mojuntin, SMK Bahang, SMK Tansau, SMK Putatan, SMK Limbanak, SJK Yue Min, SK St. Theresa Inobong, SJK Hwa Shiong Putatan, SK Kibabaig, SK St. Joseph, SK Kem Lok Kawi Putatan, SK Penampang, SK St. Anthony Dontozidon, SK Bahang, SK St. Aloysius Limbanak, SK St. Paul Kolopis, SK Putaton Inobong, SK Buit Hill, SK Puuntunoh, SK Tansau, SK Petagas, SK Tombovo, SK Pekan Putatan and SK Sugud to name a few. Tunku Abdul Rahman University College has a branch campus in Donggongon town, while SIDMA College in Bundusan area within the township of Penampang Baru and INTI College Kota Kinabalu Campus is located in Putatan town.
Tourism
Penampang is generally considered as a stronghold of the Kadazan-Dusun community and serves as a main centre for their political and cultural development. The Kadazandusun Cultural Association community hall hosts many of Kadazan-Dusun's traditional festivities, chief among them is the annual Kaamatan or 'harvest festival', their most important cultural event. The Monsopiad Cultural Village is in Penampang. Monsopiad was the name of a past warrior who was known for decapitating the heads of his enemy and hanging the skulls at the entrance of his home, to warn his enemies of his powers. The Pogunon Community Museum, a part of Sabah museum institution is situated in Kg. Pogunon, Penampang. In 2000, during a construction of a local kindergarten, three jars and pieces from four jars were discovered including an intact jar from 16th century with human remains inside. Sabah Art Gallery is situated in Penampang. It houses over 3000 paintings, carvings, and sculptures. The building has a unique basket-shaped architecture with decorative cultural motif panels of the indigenous people of Sabah. It is also the first green building in Sabah and Borneo. St. Michael's Church is a Roman Catholic church built from early 1930s until late 1940s. it is the second oldest stone church in Sabah.
