Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Native Customary Community Organisation (Maans–Sunduan Nabalu) welcomed the explanation by Sabah Parks’ top management regarding construction of the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) in the Mount Kinabalu area, including the performance of customary rituals before construction work began.
Its President Murug Vinangun Shalmon Sanangan urged all parties not to politicise the HATC issue or use it to serve personal interests or the agendas of certain parties.
He also called on the public to remain calm, avoid jumping to conclusions and refrain from spreading unverified information that could lead to misunderstandings.
“Differences of opinion should be addressed through dialogue, facts and mutual respect, rather than accusations, provocation or the spread of inaccurate information,” he said.
He said progress did not necessarily have to come at the expense of heritage, while efforts to preserve natural and customary treasures should not prevent development that benefited the community.
However, he hoped that engagement and consultation with indigenous communities would become an ongoing practice in all development plans involving areas of customary and spiritual significance.
He said Maans intended to hold an official dialogue with Sabah Parks management to strengthen mutual understanding, communication and long-term cooperation.
“The dialogue is not intended to challenge the development efforts that have been undertaken, but rather a constructive step towards building mutual understanding and preventing misunderstandings in the future,” he said in a statement Wednesday.
Among matters proposed for discussion are mechanisms for involving indigenous communities before new developments are undertaken, methods of identifying and protecting areas regarded as sacred or spiritually significant, recognition of customary rituals and protocols, and the establishment of cooperation guidelines.
Shalmon, who is also a member of the National Expert Committee on Customary Heritage of the National Heritage Department, said Mount Kinabalu was not merely a geographical area, tourist destination or site for scientific research, but also held a special place in the history, beliefs, customs and identity of Sabah’s indigenous communities.
He said according to traditional beliefs, Mount Kinabalu was known as Pongoluan, the resting place of ancestral spirits, carrying spiritual significance and symbolising ancestral connections and the continuity of indigenous identity.
As such, he said, the mountain’s protection should encompass two dimensions: physical conservation, involving its ecosystems, forests, geology and natural landscape, as well as spiritual and customary protection that respects sacred areas, indigenous beliefs and traditional practices.
He said Maans recognised the importance of developing high-altitude training and research facilities, which had long been established in countries such as Switzerland, France, Kenya and Ethiopia.
He said such facilities played a role in athlete training, human physiology research, human adaptation to low-oxygen conditions, mountain expedition preparations and improving safety and emergency response capabilities.
They also had the potential to enhance knowledge and preparedness in addressing mountain-related challenges, including earthquakes, landslides, extreme weather changes and rescue operations.
However, experiences in other countries did not mean that all locations had the same conditions, as the suitability of any development must take into account geographical and ecological characteristics, the area’s protection status, as well as the heritage and spiritual values of local communities.
He said Maans did not claim to be the sole voice representing all ethnic groups or customary practitioners in Sabah, but was prepared to serve as a platform for bringing together the diverse views and traditions of indigenous communities.
