penampang

Penampang is a district and town in Sabah, Malaysia. It lies on the west coast of Sabah, immediately west of Kota Kinabalu, and is part of the West Coast Division. The district capital is Donggongon, an urban centre that serves as the administrative and commercial hub of Penampang.

Geography and administration: Penampang comprises urban, suburban and rural areas. It is traversed by rivers and patches of hillside terrain. The district is part of the greater Kota Kinabalu metropolitan area and is connected by road networks to the state capital.

Demographics and culture: The population is predominantly of Kadazan-Dusun ethnicity, with smaller communities of Bajau, Malay and Chinese. The majority identify as Christian, with small Muslim communities. Kadazandusun culture is prominent, and Kaamatan is widely celebrated. The Monsopiad Cultural Village, a cultural heritage site preserving local legends and traditional crafts, is located in Penampang.

Economy and land use: Agriculture remains important in rural areas, including rice paddies and hill crops, complemented by growing services, retail and small manufacturing in Donggongon.

Education and facilities: Penampang hosts several primary and secondary schools, healthcare facilities and local government services. The district, together with neighbouring districts, contributes to Sabah's cultural and economic landscape.