Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Parks may impose a maximum compound against a Croatian who allegedly used an unauthorised route to climb Mount Kinabalu last week.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said he understood that Sabah Parks had lodged a police report and was investigating the case with the police.
He said the climber was still undergoing treatment and the authorities would wait until he had recovered before determining appropriate action.
“Maybe the maximum penalty could be considered, but we will give him time as he is still undergoing treatment,” he told a press conference in conjunction with the Malaysia Day 2026 celebration, Monday.
JafryJafry said the incident should serve as a reminder to tourists to use official routes and comply with the requirements when climbing Mount Kinabalu.
The Croatian climber, identified as 46-year-old Mauro Persic, reportedly entered the mountain area without a climbing permit or guide and used an unofficial route.
He was reported to have fallen from a slope while scaling the country’s highest mountain, and called for emergency assistance on Sept 6.
Rescue efforts were mounted and he was finally brought down to safety on Thursday (Sept 10) night, with some injuries including fractures on parts of his body.
