Making Kundasang first National Park
Published on: Saturday, July 01, 2017
JESSELTON, Thurs. - The Honourable Mr M.F.L. Haymes told the Legislative Council meeting yesterday that first consideration should be given to the formation of a National Park at Kundasang, which by its scenic beauty and natural resource, both agricultural and botanical, must have a strong appeal both locally, and to visitors from abroad. He said that the Kundasang area may become the Cameron Highlands of North Borneo and the native peoples there could view their future with confidence. Mr Haymes was not satisfied with the answer to his question earlier regarding the legislation to cover the formation of a National Park and the Development of a Hill Station at Kundasang.
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The Chief Secretary in his reply then had stated that legislation to govern the formation of National Parks in North Borneo, with one at Kundasang particularly in mind, was under consideration. It was proposed, the Secretary said, that such legislation should provide for the administration and contract (areas declared as National Parks, but precise provisions have not yet been formulated. The Government itself has no plans for the development of a hill station at Kundasang. Mr Turner said. "Its position remains as stated in a press release on the 4th October 1955, namely that it will be prepared to give (favourable consideration, without financial commitment on its part, to any plans that might be put forward by commercial enterprise for the development of the area in the vicinity of the proposed memorial park as a tourist centre," Mr Turner added.
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Mr Haymes speaking at the adjournment said: "In the course of his reply to a question which I asked earlier in the proceedings of this council, my Honourable friend the Chief Secretary stated that legislation is under consideration which will cover the formation of National Parks in North Borneo and provide for administration and control of areas designated as National Parks. "While nothing specific was mentioned about the formation of a National Park at Kundasang, I feel strongly, and I am sure that there are many who would agree with me, that first consideration should be given to this area which by its scenic beauty and natural resources, both agricultural and botanical must have a strong appeal, both locally and to visitors from abroad.
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That part of Mount Kinabalu above the 6,000 ft contour has already been designed a Forest Reserve but in the Kundasang area, which is about the 4,000 ft level there are extensive areas of forest which possess flora and fauna of quite exceptional interest and beauty, and it would be of lasting value to this Country that such areas be included within the boundaries of a National Park. "So far as the development of a hill station at Kundasang is concerned, this would, of course, entail per planning, and it would infact necessitate the first attempt at Country Planning that has taken place North Borneo. This again might mean additional legislation, which I hope Government has already foreseen sooner or later it must become necessary, whether a hill station is developed in Kundasang or not. I feel sure that given good communication, there will be no lack of private enterprise that will be only too eager to take advantage of the opportunity to develop a hill station a mere sixty miles from the capital. 4,000 ft above sea level, and amid such scenic beauty as is not to be found anywhere else in South East Asia. "There will, of course, be problems of land tenure to be faced and Native Rights must be given full consideration. The lot of the native people who live within a considerable distance of any such development, must, inevitably be improved, not only would they benefit by the possibility of lucrative employment but would find a ready easy market for their produce at hand locally. Already there are signs that the Kundasang area may become the Cameron Highlands of North Borneo and the native people there can view their future with confidence."As I expect all Honourable Members will know, in the centre of this area it is proposed to erect a Memorial, not only to commemorate a very tragic episode which ended at Kundasang during the Second World War, but to quote from Major Carter, who was responsible for the idea, "to symbolise for posterity the close bonds of friendship, mutual respect and common endeavour which have always existed between the British and the indigenous peoples of Borneo, and which, during World War II, found frequent and courageous expression throughout the ordeal which the Country passed". Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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