KOTA KINABALU: Community leaders and lawmakers are calling for an immediate halt to construction of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) on Mount Kinabalu.
They cited environmental, safety, and cultural concerns over the project on the sacred mountain.
Kundasang Tourism and Culture Association Chairman Datuk Japiril Suhaimin urged the Sabah government to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment covering water security, seismic safety, and ecological preservation before work continues at the Sayat-Sayat and Gurkha Hut sites.
Japiril questioned whether the initial project scope was altered without stakeholder consent, noting reports that planned structures had increased from five to nine units—bringing the total count to 13, including existing shelters.
“The association want the government to clarify if there were any operational, management or commercial links between the HATC and Skylodge facilities,” he said
Echoing the call for transparency, Luyang Assemblyman Samuel Wong urged the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry and Sabah Parks to publicly disclose environmental safeguards and updated geological assessments.
Wong noted that while the project received board and native advisory council approvals, fresh evaluations are essential given Mount Kinabalu’s seismic history following the 2015 earthquake.
“Mount Kinabalu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,” he said
Public backlash against the mountain development continues to grow on social media, with locals demanding the preservation of Mount Kinabalu's natural and sacred heritage.
