Ministry wants to promote Sabah’s third highest peak

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KOTA KINABALU: Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister  Datuk Masidi Manjun said that Kinabalu Park is not the only spot offering the best view of Mount Kinabalu.

Equally impressive sights of the highest mountain in South East Asia can be seen from Tamparuli, Ranau, Kota Belud and Tuaran.

He said this at the EAC photography competition prize giving ceremony held at the State Library near here yesterday.

According to Masidi, only 192 people are allowed to climb up the mountain daily to avoid overcrowding and to protect the heritage site.

To avoid disappointing those eager to experience the mountain, he urged the introduction of packages which allow visitors to explore the foot of Mount Kinabalu.

His ministry, through the Sabah Parks, hopes to divert visitors eager to ascend the highest peak in Sabah to other places within Sabah that offer equally remarkable sightings and experiences of the mountain.

Masidi explained that this was something new and should be explored by those in the relevant industry.

“Climbing Mount Kinabalu is a day’s experience, but exploring the foot of the mountain will take five to six days, and will bring the visitors to several villages,” he said.

At the same time, the ministry wants to promote Mount Tambuyukon, Sabah’s third highest peak, which is also sited within the Ranau district.

Masidi added that they hope to create interest among  climbers to scale up Mount Tambuyukon aside from concentrating on Mount Kinabalu alone.