New hostels launched on Kinabalu
Published on: Tuesday, August 20, 2019
By: Clarence GD
RANAU: The Kinabalu National Park has officially opened the Kinotoki and Mokodou Panalaban hostels in order to cope with the increasing number of climbers on Mount Kinabalu here on Saturday.
Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Christina Liew said the opening of the hostel which could accommodate 50 climbers is viewed as positive move by Sabah Parks in encouraging the tourism industry in Sabah.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The 6.0 Richter Scale earthquake that hit the district on June 5, 2015 affected so many areas in the tourism industry.
Building after the incident, we commends the effort of Sabah Parks for this hostels which were built with earthquake proof technology.
“The opening of these two hostels has allowed more climbers to enjoy the highest views of the summit. The construction of the two hostels is in addition to the existing accommodation facilities in the mountain including Laban Rata managed by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, Pendants Hut by Mountain Torq and Lemaing Hostel by Sabah Parks.
“For information, the names Kinotoki and Mokodou are taken in conjunction with the names of two rivers located in the Belud and Ranau areas. The hostel can accommodate up to 50 climbers at a time, however, the Sabah Parks allow only 30 climbers a day at this time,” she said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Liew who is also Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment was speaking when officiating the Kinabalu National Park’s Kinotoki and Mokodou Panalaban Hostel ceremony in Liwagu Café on Saturday.
Meanwhile, she said through the Malaysian Plans RMK10 and RMK11, the Sabah Parks have managed to apply for provisions to increase the environmental progress of tourism in Burlington, Kinabalu Park.
ADVERTISEMENT
“A total of RM12 million allocation channeled through the Ministry Of Tourism, Art And Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) has been approved to support this project.
“Projects including hostel buildings, staff quarters, Burlington Operations Office and ‘check point’ counters started on March 22, 2016 and finally finished on December 8, 2017 and submitted on February 20, 2018.
“Among other approved projects included the RM5.4 million water drainage system and the construction of a total of RM5.4 million worth of groundwater plant or sewage project completed on July 31, 2019.
“Another project to start is the work to upgrade tourists facilities in the Layang-Layang on Mount Kinabalu area which includes hostels building and restaurant and this is expected to start later this year,” she said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
