KOTA KINABALU: 1 November 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The construction activities recently highlighted on social media at Mount Kinabalu form part of the approved development of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC).
It is an initiative designed to enhance mountaineering facilities while maintaining the highest regard for environmental conservation and the cultural significance of the mountain.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the development involves the provision of basic accommodation facilities to support specialised high-altitude training and mountaineering activities.
\u201cThis is not a newly conceived or unplanned development. The HATC was originally proposed under the Kinabalu Park Development Plan in 2015, but its implementation was deferred following the earthquake that struck Mount Kinabalu that year.
\u201cThe initiative was subsequently revived and officially launched in 2025 as part of Sabah\u2019s efforts to diversify its tourism offerings and strengthen its position as an internationally recognised mountaineering destination,\u201d he said.
Jafry emphasised that the project had obtained the necessary approval from the Sabah Parks Board of Trustees, as well as the endorsement of the Mount Kinabalu Native Customary Advisory Council.
He said the involvement of the customary advisory body reflected the importance placed on respecting the cultural and spiritual significance of Mount Kinabalu to indigenous communities.
\u201cMount Kinabalu is more than a tourism destination. It is an important part of Sabah\u2019s natural and cultural heritage, deeply connected to the traditions, beliefs and identity of our indigenous communities.
\u201cAny development within this environment must recognise and respect these values. Economic opportunities and tourism advancement must never come at the expense of our cultural heritage,\u201d he stressed.
Addressing concerns over the environmental implications of the construction, Jafry explained that the development uses lightweight, prefabricated and modular building materials intended to minimise disturbance to the surrounding environment.
The structures are designed to withstand strong winds and challenging weather conditions at higher elevations, while avoiding the use of heavy machinery during construction.
\u201cThe construction approach has been carefully considered to minimise environmental disturbance while ensuring that the facilities are structurally secure and suitable for high-altitude conditions.
\u201cEnvironmental protection remains a fundamental priority. We will not compromise the ecological integrity of Mount Kinabalu in the pursuit of tourism development,\u201d he said.
Jafry further stressed that the Ministry would ensure that all construction activities strictly adhere to the approved specifications, applicable environmental requirements and relevant laws and regulations.
\u201cWhile the project has received the necessary approvals, this does not exempt any party from complying with the established conditions, technical specifications and regulatory requirements.
\u201cThe 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.
\u201cWe will not hesitate to take appropriate action against any party found to have violated the stipulated conditions or failed to comply with the relevant laws and regulations,\u201d he warned.
The Minister also said the Ministry would consider conducting a thorough investigation, in coordination with Sabah Parks and other relevant authorities, to verify that all construction activities were being carried out in full compliance with the applicable requirements.
\u201cWe take the concerns raised by the public seriously. The Ministry will consider a comprehensive investigation to ascertain whether all approved specifications, environmental safeguards and regulatory conditions have been fully observed.
\u201cLet me be clear: prior approval does not mean unrestricted permission to carry out development. Every stage of implementation must remain accountable to the laws, regulations and conditions governing the protection of Mount Kinabalu.
\u201cShould any non-compliance be established, the Ministry will not hesitate to pursue the necessary enforcement measures in accordance with the law.
\u201cOur responsibility is not merely to facilitate development, but to ensure that such development is undertaken responsibly, transparently and with full accountability,\u201d he affirmed.
Jafry further explained that the HATC is intended to provide a specialised training environment for mountaineers preparing for expeditions to higher-altitude destinations, including Mount Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Mount Everest.
The facility will support altitude acclimatisation, technical mountaineering training and familiarisation with specialised climbing equipment, offering opportunities for both domestic and international climbing communities.
He said Mount Kinabalu has a distinct advantage due to its accessibility, established mountaineering infrastructure and internationally recognised geological landscape.
\u201cWith its proximity to Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Mount Kinabalu offers a relatively accessible and cost-effective environment for specialised mountaineering training.
\u201cThe HATC also presents opportunities to attract international mountaineering clubs and organisations, creating additional economic benefits for local communities and the wider tourism industry,\u201d he said.
The Minister added that the initiative supports the broader objectives of the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark by encouraging responsible geotourism, environmental awareness and sustainable tourism development.
Nevertheless, Jafry reiterated that all development activities must remain consistent with the State Government\u2019s responsibility to protect Mount Kinabalu\u2019s natural environment and cultural heritage.
He also acknowledged the concerns raised by tourism stakeholders and members of the public following the circulation of photographs depicting construction activities on the mountain.
\u201cI welcome the public\u2019s concern and interest in safeguarding Mount Kinabalu. Such vigilance demonstrates the strong sense of ownership and responsibility that Sabahans have towards this extraordinary natural heritage.
\u201cHowever, it is equally important that public discussions are guided by accurate information and a clear understanding of the purpose and scope of the development.
\u201cThe project is intended to improve essential mountaineering facilities through a controlled and environmentally responsible approach, while respecting the cultural traditions associated with the mountain,\u201d he said.
Jafry reaffirmed that the Sabah Government remains committed to ensuring that tourism development and environmental conservation advance together.
\u201cOur position is clear. Development must never come at the expense of conservation, nor should progress disregard the cultural values and traditions of our communities.
\u201cMount Kinabalu is a symbol of Sabah\u2019s identity and a natural heritage of international significance. Our responsibility is to protect its integrity while ensuring that any improvements serve a meaningful and sustainable purpose.
\u201cWe must strike the right balance between progress and preservation, because the true value of Mount Kinabalu lies not only in its tourism potential, but in the natural and cultural legacy we safeguard for future generations,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KOTA KINABALU: 1 November 2026 The construction activities recently highlighted on social media at Mount Kinabalu form part of the approved development of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC). It is an initiative designed to enhance mountaineering facilities while maintaining the highest regard for environmental conservation and the cultural significance of the mountain. Tourism, Culture…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/IMG-20260919-WA002528229.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4232"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4233,"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4232\/revisions\/4233"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/holidaysabah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}