By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is considering developing new routes on Mount Kinabalu, but climbers will continue to be barred from using trails that have not been authorised by Sabah Parks.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the ministry had been looking into potential routes and areas suitable for exploration even before photographs of less-explored parts of the mountain posted by Croatian climber Mauro Persic went viral.
"We have been looking into the matter for quite some time, including examining routes and places that may be suitable, taking into consideration safety and other factors," he told the media during the 33rd Climbathon press conference at his office here.
Jafry said any decision to develop new routes would also take into account the potential benefits to communities living around Mount Kinabalu.
"Whatever steps we take, what is certain is that the local community and the people of the state must benefit from them," he said.
"We are concerned that using unofficial trails could compromise the safety of climbers," he said.
Last month, Persic, 46, triggered a five-day search and rescue operation involving 43 personnel after he climbed through an unauthorised route via Sungai Mesilou without a permit and subsequently fell and sustained injuries.
He was fined the maximum RM25,000 for the offence.
Persic had posted photographs showing parts of Mount Kinabalu away from the authorised routes, prompting curiosity among social media users over whether such areas would be opened to climbers.
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