KINABATANGAN: The government is positioning Sukau as a flagship eco-tourism draw, especially in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026, as Sabah sharpens its push to elevate the area’s global profile, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said on Sunday.
He said this vision was shared during a briefing with tourism industry operators in Sukau here, where the Ministry gathered on-the-ground feedback on sustainable tourism development following the area’s recognition as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve.
Jafry said the international status carried a responsibility to safeguard cleanliness, environmental sustainability and ecological balance, while ensuring Sabah remained a credible world-class eco-tourism destination.
However, he stressed that poor waste management in Sukau required urgent and more structured action, warning that unchecked solid waste could damage wildlife habitats, river quality and visitors’ experience.
Among proposals discussed was the construction of a dedicated waste collection centre, which he said the ministry would study with local authorities, agencies and the community to deliver practical and sustainable solutions driven by field realities rather than boardroom plans.
