Mount Kinabalu training centre construction under scrutiny

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will ensure that construction of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) on Mount Kinabalu complies with approved specifications and environmental requirements.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the ministry would conduct a comprehensive investigation with Sabah Parks and other relevant authorities to verify compliance.

"The ministry will ensure that all approved specifications are met and that the implementation of the project remains consistent with the environmental and safety standards expected within such a sensitive and internationally significant natural heritage site.

"Should any non-compliance be established, the ministry will not hesitate to pursue the necessary enforcement measures in accordance with the law," he said in a statement today.

Jafry was responding to a local news article questioning the construction work taking place on the mountain, which is part of the country's first Unesco World Heritage Site.

He added that the project, which provides basic accommodation for specialised high-altitude training and mountaineering, had received approval from the Sabah Parks Board of Trustees and endorsement from the Mount Kinabalu Native Customary Advisory Council.

First proposed under the Kinabalu Park Development Plan in 2015, its implementation was deferred following the earthquake that struck Mount Kinabalu that year.

The initiative was revived and officially launched last year.

Addressing environmental concerns, Jafry said the development used lightweight, prefabricated and modular materials to minimise disturbance, while avoiding the use of heavy machinery during construction.

The structures were designed to withstand strong winds and challenging weather conditions at higher elevations.

"Environmental protection remains a fundamental priority. We will not compromise the ecological integrity of Mount Kinabalu in the pursuit of tourism development," he said.

Jafry said the HATC would provide training and acclimatisation opportunities for mountaineers preparing for expeditions to destinations including Mount Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Mount Everest.

He said the facility could also attract international mountaineering clubs and organisations, creating economic opportunities for local communities and the tourism industry.