Mt Kinabalu rock slide no effect on tourism

KOTA KINABALU: Tourism activities are not affected by the rock slide at Mount Kinabalu, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.

Masidi said the rock slide was expected as part of the granite surface had become unloosen following the earthquake in 2015.

“The incessant rain merely triggered the rock slide,” he said.

He added Mount Kinabalu was still in the process of stabilizing itself after the earthquake.

“Obviously, there are some movements that are beyond the control of human beings. That itself will trigger loose rocks to slide down,” he said.

Nonetheless, Masidi said Sabah Parks officers were stationed 24 hours at the site to monitor the situation.

“At this point in time, we should not be unduly worried. As the report says, it is 1.5 kilometres away from the buildings,” he said.

Masidi also said that tourism activities at Mount Kinabalu were not affected by the incident. However, he said Sabah Parks had stopped climbers from hiking to the peak as the trail was slippery.

“We do not want to take risks. Otherwise, everything is okay,” he said, when asked by the media after officiating at the opening of Sebangga Dunia's Mitsubishi 4S Centre here yesterday.

A section of Mount Kinabalu collapsed into the Mesilou river area on Saturday afternoon following continuous rain and strong winds. The incident did not cause any damage or injuries.