28-room hostel soon at Kinabalu
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Parks is about to complete the construction of a 28-room hostel at Laban Rata, 11,000ft on Mt Kinabalu.
It will be managed by Sabah Parks staff, said State Culture, Tourism and Environment Minister Datuk Sri Panglima Masidi Manjun.
“We have intention for more but we’ll study it because we don’t want to spoil it,” Masidi said, during “The Bandalureate Country Branding Award 2013-14” celebration luncheon, Wednesday.
Asked if this means increasing the capacity of Kinabalu, Masidi said: “No, it remains at 192 persons. What has been privatised was accommodation and restaurants, we did not privatise the number of people who can go up. It remains within the power of Sabah Parks,” he said.
On why management of the new hostel would be by Sabah Parks, Masidi said it was to make sure that it is affordable to everyone.
“We’ll have to look at affordability but the intention is we want our Park to be actively involved in the running of the mountain,”said Masidi.
The hostel is viewed as the Government finally responding to persistent clamour from ordinary Sabahans who complained of the loss of easy and cheap access to their own mountain ever since a previous Minister decided to privatise the operations more than a decade ago.
Asked whether this could mean the restoration of a hassle-free tradition among Fifth formers to take to the mountain after exams, Masidi said: “Obviously it involves some costs but it would be good if students have sponsors,” he said.
Asked if the park would consider sparing a week after the SPM exams to enable special access to local students, Masidi said: “I am sure it’s (hostel) going to be very cheap year long because what made it expensive last time was because they had to stay for two nights in the park but now you can stay outside the park or homestay and then stay only one night at Laban Rata,” Masidi said.
“Sutera Sanctuary Lodge charged only RM25 but only for Sabahans in a special package – cheap, economic, and all inclusive – porters, guide fee, for only RM130,” Masidi noted.
Sabah Parks Director Dr Jamili Nais said local climbers snapped up the bargain SSL offer, indicative of vibrant local interest.
Asked if a Sabah Parks-managed new hostel at Laban Rata is putting Kinabalu Parks back to the old days, Dr Jamili said: “What we are looking at like Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, giving people alternatives.
“Those who want high end accommodation can have that, we support that also but those who want no frills, we cater to them because the domestic market has been crying out for affordable climbs.
“I am looking into the idea of volunteerism, which means people can volunteer at the park for one week or even three weeks without pay while we take care of their food and accommodation , “Dr Jamili said.
Meanwhile, Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first Heritage Site, was chosen as a recipient of “The Brandlaureate Country Branding Award 2013-2014” for its status as a heritage site as it has a diverse biota and high endemism.
The prestigious award was presented to Kinabalu Park during the Brandlaureate Award 2013-2014 presentation on May 30, organised by Asia Pacific Brands Foundation held in Kuala Lumpur.
Masidi presented the certificate and the trophy of the award to Kinabalu Park Manager Justinus Guntabid.
Asia Pacific Brands Foundation (APBF), which was founded in 2004, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing brands in a myriad of business backdrops and led by fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad together with a Board of Governors who are experienced captains of industries and established brand icons.
The Brandlaureate Awards recognise world-class achievement in branding amongst individuals and companies.
The other recipients of the award were Perbadanan Putrajaya (Floria Putrajaya), Captain James Anthony Tan and Crystal Lee.
Masidi said Kinabalu Park deserved the award not merely due to its status as World Heritage Site but also because of the fact that Kinabalu Park had the highest number of plant species per unit area in the world.
He said Kinabalu Park had 5,500 plant species in 30kmx40km beside housing 866 species of orchids, ferns (609), okas and chestnuts (63), pitcher plants (14), mosses and liverworts (450), 326 birds (326), 625 butterflies (625), 90 lowland mammals (90), montane mammals (22), snakes (67), frogs and toads (61) and fishes (40).
“More interesting, in the single day of climb, you can experience spring, summer, autumn and winter, all together”.
Source: Daily Express
