Number Of Climbers For Mount Kinabalu Increased To 165 A Day

RANAU (Sabah, Malaysia) April 1 (Bernama) -- The number of people allowed to climb Mount Kinabalu has been increased to 165 a day with the opening of two new accommodation blocks, named Mokodau and Kinateki, at Panalaban Tuesday. The two-block accommodation, called Panabalan Hostel, is run by the Sabah Parks (TTS) and each block has 25 beds. TTS director Dr Jamili Nais said with the additional beds, it could now accommodate more people to climb Mount Kinabalu, with the number increased to 165, from 135 people, previously. Initially, the number was 194, but reduced to 135 following the earthquake tragedy in 2015, he said during a dinner hosted for media members participating in the Mount Kinabalu climb held in conjunction with the opening of Panalaban Hostel at Kinabalu Park near here Sunday night. Jamili said the two-block hostel was built at a cost of RM12 million through federal funds under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry. The project also involved construction of an office for the mountain guides and members of the Mountain Search and Rescue Team (Mosar), check point, and an accommodation for the mountain guides and porters. He said TTS hoped to increase the number of climbers to 185. Meanwhile, participants for the Mount Kinabalu climb in conjunction with the opening of Panalaban Hostel were flagged-off by the State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary William Baya. A total of 49 media members and TTS staff, including Jamili, participated in the climb. -- BERNAMA