Sabah Parks mulling increasing entrance fees after two decades

 By Olivia Miwil - May 20, 2022 @ 10:17am

Sabah Parks director Dr Maklarin Lakim (seated, left) says there is a proposal to revise entrance fees to its offerings in the state as the last price revision was about 20 years ago. - NSTP/OLIVIA MIWIL

KUDAT: Sabah Parks is considering increasing the entrance fees for its offerings in the state, director Dr Maklarin Lakim said.

He said the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin would be announcing the details on the new rates.

"There is a proposal as the last revision was about 20 years ago. We have never done so (increase fees) till now. But the day-to-day maintenance cost is getting higher.

"Therefore we know, our (revenue) collection can no longer cover the expensive conservation cost and there is a need to increase the rates in line with food prices.

"For now, it is (financially) imbalanced as Sabah Parks relies on government subsidy to bear the conservation cost," he said, adding that there were 24 main points of interest under Sabah Parks and it would continue to promote more attractions.

Maklarin was speaking during a press conference after the sixth anniversary of the Tun Mustapha marine park gazettement here yesterday.

As for the recent signing of the Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) between Sabah Parks' subsidiary Berjaya Land Bhd (Berjaya) and Sabapak Eco Sdn Bhd (SESB), he said it was not an issue.

"The MoU has been brought to the state cabinet by Jafry. It is not binding. It is more on the intention to materialise plans."

Last year in December, Jafry had announced the reactivation of SESB for Sabah Parks to maximise its income in a move to sustain its operations.