Kota Kinabalu: Ongoing construction activities on Mount Kinabalu recently highlighted on social media are part of the approved High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) project, which was vetted by the Sabah Parks Board of Trustees and endorsed by the Mount Kinabalu Native Customary Advisory Council.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin (pic) said the project, originally mooted under the 2015 Kinabalu Park Development Plan, was deferred after the 2015 earthquake before being revived and launched in 2025 to bolster mountaineering facilities.
He explained that the centre will provide basic accommodation to support specialised acclimatisation and training for climbers targeting major peaks such as Mount Everest, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Aconcagua.
Addressing environmental concerns, Jafry said the project employs lightweight, prefabricated modular materials capable of withstanding extreme high-altitude conditions while avoiding the deployment of heavy machinery.
He warned that prior approval does not grant unrestricted leeway, adding that the Ministry will consider a comprehensive inspection alongside Sabah Parks and relevant bodies to enforce strict regulatory compliance.
