Sabah Parks subsidiary takes control of Mt Kinabalu hostels

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parks has handed its subsidiary Sabapak Eco Sdn Bhd (SPESB) the task to operate two of its hostels located more than 3,000m above sea level at Mount Kinabalu.

The signing of an agreement here between the Sabah Parks Board of Trustees and SPESB on Thursday (June 15) will allow the latter to take over the Panalaban Hostel (the Mokodou and Kinotoki blocks) and Lemaing Hostel.

Previously, the operations of these two hostels were handled by Sabah Parks.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew witnessed the signing of the agreement between Sabah Parks Board of Trustees deputy chairman Peter Lintar and SPESB deputy chairman Datuk Mohd Yusrie Adbullah, who was also permanent secretary to the Ministry.

Also present were Sabah Parks director Dr Maklarin Lakim and representative from the Sabah Finance Ministry’s permanent secretary Mohd Faizal Mohd Tahir.

In a statement here on Thursday, it was noted that the agreement, which was effective last June 1, would entail SPESB looking after the hostels for 15 years.

In this period, SPESB would be responsible for carrying out maintenance and repair work of infrastructure at the hostels for public use.

As for staff recruitment, priority would also be given to Sabahans residing in the Ranau district, including Kundasang and Bundu Tuhan.

Both the Panalaban and Lemaing hostels were located some four to six hours climb from the Timpohon Gate.

The facilities offer basic facilities for climbers to rest and prepare during the midway point of their climb before their final ascent up Malaysia’s highest mountain the following day.

Both hostels were located only a five-minute walk away from the Laban Rata rest house, the base camp for climbers up the mountain.