KOTA KINABALU: The state cabinet has agreed to nominate Maliau Basin in the south central part of Sabah as a World Heritage Site, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

He said the move was a reflection of the state government's commitment to preserve the Maliau Basin conservation area, which he described as a source of pride for the people of Sabah.

"This will ultimately dismiss allegations that the proposal to build a coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu is connected to attempts to exploit Maliau Basin's coal resources.

"The state government will not compromise on its effort to conserve its forest reserves and we will make sure that the Maliau Basin, which is a renowned research area, is safeguarded at all times," he told reporters after opening a scientific seminar on Mount Tambuyukon here on Tuesday, April 6.

The Maliau Basin, known as Sabah's Lost World, was declared a Sabah Foundation conservation area in 1981.

In 1997, the state cabinet agreed to gazette the area as a Protection Forest Reserve (Class 1), covering an area of 588 sq km.

Masidi said there were also suggestions to nominate Danum Valley in the east coast of Sabah as a World Heritage Site but the matter was still being looked into by the ministry.

Sabah currently has a World Heritage Site, namely the Kinabalu Park, where the 4,092-metre high Mount Kinabalu is located.

Meanwhile, Masidi has requested that the Sabah Parks explore the possibilities of promoting Mount Kinabalu and Mount Tambuyukon as a tourism package.

"Climbing Mount Kinabalu is relatively easy and more of a recreational activity. I think it's good to incorporate new and more adventurous elements.

"I was told that the route to the peak of Mount Tambuyukon is much more challenging and requires a high degree of physical fitness.

"Sabah Parks can introduce a gold certificate to tourists who manage to reach the peaks of both mountains," he said, adding that there were also flora and fauna species in Mount Tambuyukon that aren't found in Mount Kinabalu.

Masidi said that such a package would also inform the public of attractions besides Mount Kinabalu, and encourage them to explore the 2,580-metre high Mount Tambuyukon, located within the Kinabalu Park.

He added that in view of the limit of 192 climbers imposed at Mount Kinabalu, any additional number of tourists could be redirected to Mount Tambuyukon, the third-highest mountain in Sabah after Mount Kinabalu and Mount Trusmadi. -- Bernama