Agencies eye strategies to improve resorts

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KOTA KINABALU: Various related agencies and departments here will work out strategies to improve the structure of resorts and hotels built in the hilly areas of Kundasang in view of landslides that often occur there during the rainy season.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said although the landslides that happened earlier this week had not really affected tourism activities, it had exposed some of the problems with regard to the development of resorts in the area, citing the drainage system as an example.

“There’s a need for us to plan properly and local authorities must ensure that buildings are put up according to approved plans,” he told reporters at a function here yesterday.

He said a meeting may be held involving all resort owners in Kundasang and Ranau on the matter.

According to him, safety issues must be addressed as “just one unfortunate incident in any part of Sabah can kill off tourism activity there”.

“We should avoid unnecessary accidents or putting people’s lives at risk as a result of carelessness or inability to correct wrong things,” added Masidi.

Commenting on a news report on alleged rampant tree-cutting activities in Kundasang, Masidi said he noticed the land clearing activities about two weeks ago, which was done on government land.

He said he had forwarded the matter to Sabah State Secretary Datuk Sukarti Wakiman for further action.

“The land encroachment may involve villagers. Maybe some of them want to start a new settlement, a kampung there,” he said. — Bernama