Sabah Parks reopen nature attractions with new normal measures

By Olivia Miwil - May 16, 2020 @ 2:40pm

Sabah Parks is confident that tourists would be coming back to its idyllic islands, parks and other natural attractions. - NSTP/ courtesy of Sabah Parks

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parks is confident that tourists would be coming back to its idyllic islands, parks and other natural attractions.

Its director Dr Maklarin Lakim said that it is not surprising there are not many visitors coming to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park on the first day of its operations today.

In the morning, a check at the park showed no signs of tourists coming in for beach activities. However, an operator was seen bringing five customers for diving activities.

"People are still not keen to come out after being used to the new normal of staying at home during the Movement Control Order (MCO).

"Moreover, it is still the fasting month until next week," he said, adding Sabah Parks is expecting a change of slow but steady trend of locals coming out for excursions.

Also present during the work visit was Tunku Abdul Rahman Park manager Jufri Nasri.

For the new normal, Maklarin said the agency is limiting to only 100 tourists at each of its 24 parks and islands at one time which include Mount Kinabalu in Kundasang, Poring in Ranau, Tawau Hills Park in Tawau, as well as Sipadan island in Semporna among others.

He added with the minimal number of tourists, the staff can ensure people have better space for social distancing, practice wearing masks and prevent mass gatherings.

"By lowering the number, we will have better control of the crowd especially on the usage of facilities such as the washrooms," he said.

Meanwhile, in Ranau, Kinabalu Park senior manager Yassin Miki said at Mount Kinabalu, eight people aged between 29 and 49 ascended with two guides this morning.

"Generally, the registration process went smoothly as there are not many climbers.

"Based on observation today, there will be improvement made on managing climbers as the number is expected to increase after the MCO stops," said Yassin.