RM10 mln to restore Mt Kinabalu

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RANAU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has announced several measures to improve the safety aspects of Mount Kinabalu, following last week’s earthquake where 16 people had been confirmed dead so far.

He said this included equipping every mountain guide on duty with a walkie-talkie so that they could relay and receive important information quickly in the event of an emergency.

Efforts should also be made to upgrade the helicopter landing pad on the mountain to accommodate bigger craft whenever they are needed for transporting injured climbers or rescue personnel.

Additionally, latest sensors should be installed to help monitor tremors which could give vital information to geologist in anticipating possible earthquake, so that warning can be issued if needed.

“From what I understand, it is still impossible to predict earthquake but we can monitor smaller tremors, which may or may not indicate that a bigger earthquake is going to happen. We will leave the decision to call for early quake warning to the experts.

“These were among the recommendations that have been looked into and they can be implemented,” he said before presenting assistance to the family members of four mountain guides who lost their lives in the 5.9 magnitude quake early last Friday.

At the event Najib also presented assistance to THE Kinabalu Mountain Guide Association as a token of recognition for the bravery and heroic display of its members in rescuing stranded victims and recovering the bodies of their fallen comrades amidst continuing aftershocks.

Najib who cut short his official programme to Saudi Arabia and returned to Malaysia Monday evening, visited the district to extend his condolences and support to family members of the victims.

The premier also inspected the damage caused by the earthquake to Kinabalu National Park and public facilities in the district.

Earlier he visited the Ranau district police headquarters, which was among the damaged government’s facilities, before listening to a briefing on the aftermath of the disaster at the Park.

In his speech, he also announced a RM10 million federal allocation to help in restoration of Kinabalu Park.

Najib assured that the Federal Government would work closely with the Sabah Government to ensure the Park, which is recognized as World Heritage and a major source of income to Sabah, would be reopened to climbers as soon as possible.

“Mount Kinabalu is one of the most renowned places in the world that attracts visitors from all over the globe. It would be a shame if the Park could not resume operation after the quake, it would be a great loss not just to Sabah but to the world,” he said.

On the search and rescue (SAR) effort, Najib said he was satisfied with the whole operation after listening to a briefing from the agencies involved.

He said the allegation that the SAR team was slow in responding to the disaster was not true as they had done everything humanly possible under the circumstances.

Speaking in a press conference later, he said the helicopter could not be used at certain times during the operation due to dangerously strong winds or thick fogs.

“I must state here that this mountain area experiences turbulent weather most of the time. Even though the weather may appear calm to the naked eyes, there could be strong winds which make flying too dangerous.

“So it is not fair for anyone to point fingers at anyone and accusing them of not doing what they can. The truth is, anything that can be done under the circumstances has been done,” he said.

He also commended the mountain guides who voluntarily risked their own lives to rescue stranded climbers during the disaster, adding that the government would give special recognition for their heroic action.

“I am waiting for the proposal from the State Government on what recognition we can award to these brave heroes. the federal government will consider the proposal and decide what is appropriate as a token of gratitude and recognition for them,” he said.