Mt Kinabalu guides suspended for posing with Warisan flag
KOTA KINABALU: Three Mount Kinabalu guides have been suspended from work until the end of May.
This came after photographs of a guide posing with a flag of Parti Warisan Sabah on the mountain went viral on Facebook.
Kinabalu Park manager Yassin Miki signed the letter of suspension of the three guides, a picture of which had also gone viral.
The move has come under criticism online with some people questioning the suspension, describing it as a breach of democratic rights.
However, Sabah Parks director Dr Jamili Nais said action was taken not because the guides supported an opposition party but that they had failed to differentiate between work and politics.
“As the head of this organisation, I fully support the move to suspend the three guides because they brought political sentiment to work,” he said yesterday.
Dr Jamili said everybody had the democratic right to choose whichever political party he or she wanted.
“But for Sabah Parks staff and mountain guides (who are freelancers given licences by the park), it is not right to bring political sentiment into the workplace, especially where tourists are involved,” he said.
“Just imagine if the guide brings the flag along the way and comes across supporters from other parties.
“It can cause trouble and stir unease among climbers.”
Dr Jamili said staff should be neutral – more so during the general election season.
“However, we should also be prepared to serve the people according to our job scope and be loyal to the government of the day,” he said.