Photo spot: A tourist posing in front of the Maybank signboard in Kota Kinabalu, in this photo posted on social media.
Going gaga over Maybank signboard
KOTA KINABALU: Of all the things that could trend on social media, a Maybank signboard here has become the recent craze, particularly among Chinese tourists.
The bright yellow signboard in question is located along Jalan Pantai in Gaya Street area here, in the heart of the city’s central business district which is popular among domestic and international visitors.
The bank has been closed for some time for renovation but the signboard still remains.
A flurry of photos uploaded online, including on China-based social media platform Xiaohongshu, also known as the “Chinese Instagram”, has ignited curiosity among Sabahans, as well as the virtual community.
Some speculated on online forums such as Reddit that the spot caught the eye after a celebrity, albeit unnamed, took a photo there.
However, Kota Kinabalu MP Datuk Chan Foong Hin learned that it could simply be because of the “catchy colour” after going to the location and speaking to some of the tourists taking pictures there on Saturday.
He said he decided to find out what it was all about after noticing the trend on social media.
“I couldn’t understand it also,” he said, “but they told me that it was because of the bright yellow colour and the location of the signboard at an intersection.”
Chan said the tourists also told him that the spot became a must among photo enthusiasts after pictures started coming out and trending on Xiaohongshu.
“But whatever it is, it shows that Kota Kinabalu has plenty of resources for tourism and we welcome everyone,” the Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister said.
Some social media users also commented that the tiger logo on the signboard was especially eye-catching.
A user named meloneybaloney contended that the contrast of the Maybank colours and the monotone shades of the surrounding area, besides the colourful shops in the background, made it appealing.
“Another nice thing is the corner of the bank that creates depth to the picture.
“I can understand why people would shoot their pictures there,” said meloneybaloney.
