By Ts Dr. Hj Ramli Amir, former President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Malaysia and Vice-President of CILT International for Southeast Asia
KOTA KINABALU: Nestled in the heart of Borneo, Sabah’s mountainous landscapes—from the majestic slopes of Mount Kinabalu to the terraced farms of Kundasang—are as challenging as they are breathtaking.
For decades, communities here have grappled with the dual burdens of inefficient transportation and the physical toll of manual labour in rugged terrain. Meanwhile, the global rise of eco-tourism demands infrastructure that balances accessibility with environmental stewardship.
In this context, China’s innovative use of mini monorails, or “sky trains,” in its mountainous regions offers a compelling blueprint. Adapted to Sabah’s unique needs, this technology could revolutionize rural livelihoods, enhance tourism, and address critical safety concerns—all while empowering local communities.
Feasibility in Sabah’s Geographic and Socioeconomic Context
Sabah’s highlands, much like the mountainous provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan in China, are defined by steep gradients, dense forests, and isolated villages. Roads here are costly to build and maintain, often crumbling during monsoon seasons or disrupting fragile ecosystems. Smallholder farmers, who grow high-value crops like tea, strawberries, and vegetables, face significant losses due to delayed or inefficient transportation. Perishable goods spoil on long journeys carried by foot or 4WD vehicles, while the physical strain on porters and labourers perpetuates cycles of poverty.
Mount Kinabalu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Malaysia’s premier climbing destination, presents its own challenges. Over 50,000 climbers annually traverse trails maintained by porters who carry supplies—food, gas cylinders, construction materials—to the Panar Laban Rest House at 3,272 meters.
This work, while vital, is gruelling and hazardous. Similarly, rescue operations for injured hikers rely on teams of porters manually carrying stretchers down narrow paths, a process that can take hours in life-threatening conditions.
China’s mini monorail systems, designed for similar environments, demonstrate that these challenges are not insurmountable. Lightweight, electric-powered tracks installed along slopes could bypass the need for disruptive road construction. Modular designs allow systems to be scaled for agriculture, tourism, or emergency use, offering Sabah a versatile solution.
Agricultural Logistics in the Highlands
In districts like Kundasang and Ranau, mini monorails could connect terraced farms to processing centers or market roads. Farmers currently rely on human porters or off-road vehicles to transport produce, paying up to RM 100 daily for labour—a significant expense for small-scale operations.
A monorail system, capable of carrying 200–500 kg loads, would slash transportation costs by an estimated 60–70%. For example, strawberries grown in Kundasang, which often spoil during the bumpy truck ride to Kota Kinabalu markets, could reach consumers fresher and faster, increasing profits by 20–30%.
The system’s environmental benefits align with Sabah’s climate goals. Solar-powered monorails would eliminate diesel emissions from trucks, while elevated tracks minimize soil erosion and deforestation compared to road widening. This is critical in regions like Crocker Range, where biodiversity hotspots coexist with agricultural activity.
Reimagining Eco-Tourism on Mount Kinabalu
A monorail ascending Mount Kinabalu could redefine eco-tourism. Imagine a silent, electric-powered sky train gliding from Kinabalu Park Headquarters to the Panar Laban Rest House, offering hikers and sightseers panoramic views of the montane forest. For climbers, this would reduce the pre-dawn trek to the summit, conserving energy for the final ascent. For non-climbers—elderly visitors, families, or those with disabilities—it would democratize access to Sabah’s natural wonders.
However, the true innovation lies in community ownership. Instead of displacing porters, the monorail could transition them into operators and managers. The Kundasang Porter Cooperative or Sabah Mountain Guides Association might own and maintain the system, charging fees for cargo transport. Porters, who currently earn RM 50–100 per trip carrying 15–30 kg loads, could instead charge per kilogram (e.g., RM 3–5/kg) for supplies transported via monorail. This model preserves livelihoods while reducing physical strain. A hybrid approach could retain some porter roles for “last mile” delivery, ensuring no jobs are lost.
Rescue Operations: A Lifeline in the Clouds
The monorail’s most urgent application may be in search and rescue. Every year, over 100 hikers require evacuation from Mount Kinabalu due to altitude sickness, injuries, or adverse weather. The current process—manual stretcher carries down narrow, rocky trails—is slow and risky. A monorail equipped with stretcher mounts could evacuate patients from Panar Laban to the base in under an hour, compared to the current 4–6 hours. Training porters as medics and operators would integrate this system into Sabah’s emergency response network, saving lives and enhancing the region’s reputation for safe, responsible tourism.
While the potential is vast, implementation requires navigating financial, technical, and social hurdles.
Funding and Partnerships
Constructing a basic monorail system costs an estimated RM 1–3 million per kilometre. Funding could be pooled from federal rural development grants (e.g., Sabah Maju Jaya 2030), eco-tourism levies, and partnerships with international manufacturers like China’s CRRC, which has expertise in mountainous monorails. Development banks such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) may support sustainable infrastructure projects aligned with climate resilience goals.
Technical and Environmental Considerations
Mount Kinabalu’s high-altitude environment demands durable, weather-resistant materials. Tracks and carts must withstand heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and frequent landslides. Collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) could yield customized designs, while environmental impact assessments (EIAs) must ensure compliance with UNESCO guidelines for Kinabalu Park.
Community Buy-In
Resistance to change is inevitable. Porters may fear job displacement, while conservationists might oppose infrastructure in protected areas. Early engagement is key: pilot projects should involve local leaders, NGOs like WWF Malaysia, and porter associations in co-designing systems. Demonstrating the monorail’s benefits—such as a pilot in Kundasang showing a 40% reduction in farmers’ transport costs—could build trust.
Case Study: The Panar Laban Monorail Pilot
A proposed pilot project linking Timpohon Gate (1,866m) to Panar Laban Rest House (3,272m) offers a microcosm of the system’s potential.
Stakeholders and Funding
Operators: Kundasang Porter Cooperative, trained via workshops funded by the Sabah Tourism Board.
Funding Mix: RM 5–10 eco-tourism levy added to climbing permits, matched by grants from the Ministry of Rural Development.
Design Features
Solar-powered carts to align with Sabah’s renewable energy targets.
Modular tracks that avoid sensitive vegetation and archaeological sites.
Dual-use carts for cargo (supplies up, waste down) and rescue operations.
Expected Outcomes
Porter incomes rise by 30–50% through cargo fees and tourism roles (e.g., guided monorail tours).
Rescue response times cut by 75%, reducing risks for hikers and rescue teams.
Environmental gains from fewer trucks on mountain roads and reduced trail erosion.
A Path Forward: Recommendations for Sabah
Prioritize Pilot Projects
Begin with small-scale trials in high-impact zones: Kundasang for agriculture and Mount Kinabalu for tourism/rescue. Measure outcomes rigorously to secure broader funding.
Foster Public-Private Partnerships
Engage CRRC for technology transfer and Malaysian firms like Gamuda Berhad for construction. Leverage CSR programs from tourism giants like Sutera Sanctuary Lodges.
Integrate with Policy Frameworks
Align monorail projects with Sabah’s Climate Change Action Plan and the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).
Elevate Community Voices
Include porters and farmers in decision-making. As one Kundasang elder noted, “We don’t want charity—we want tools to build our future.”
Conclusion: A Vision of Sustainable Peaks
Sabah stands at a crossroads. The choice is not between progress and preservation but between outdated models and innovative solutions. China’s mini monorails, reimagined through Sabah’s lens of community empowerment and ecological care, offer a path where technology serves people and planet alike. For farmers, it means thriving businesses unshackled from logistical burdens. For porters, it’s a transition from backbreaking labour to dignified entrepreneurship. For tourists, it’s safer, more inclusive access to natural wonders.
As the sun rises over Mount Kinabalu, a silent monorail gliding through the clouds could become more than infrastructure—it could symbolize Sabah’s commitment to a future where peaks are not barriers but bridges to shared prosperity.
