KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has clarified that the construction activities at Gunung Kinabalu, which recently went viral on social media, are part of the development of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) that has been approved by the relevant authorities.
The State Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment , Datuk Jafry Ariffin, said that this development involves the provision of basic accommodation facilities to support specialized training at high altitudes and mountain climbing activities.
He said that this project is not a new initiative, as it was included in the Kinabalu Park Development Plan back in 2015.
“However, its implementation was postponed due to the earthquake that struck Gunung Kinabalu that year.
“This initiative was then revived and is set to be officially launched in 2025 as part of Sabah’s efforts to diversify tourism products and strengthen its position as an internationally recognized mountain climbing destination,” he said in a statement.
Jafry noted that the HATC project has already received approval from the Sabah Parks Board of Trustees and has the support of the Mountain Kinabalu Native Advisory Council.
He emphasised that any development at Gunung Kinabalu must consider the importance of environmental preservation, cultural heritage, and the beliefs of the indigenous community.
“Gunung Kinabalu is not just a tourist destination. It is an essential part of Sabah’s natural and cultural heritage, closely linked to the traditions, beliefs, and identity of our indigenous people.
“Any development in this environment must recognize and respect these values,” he stated.
Addressing concerns about the potential environmental impact of the construction, he explained that the project will utilize lightweight, prefabricated, and modular building materials to minimize disruption to the environment.
