New management plan strengthens Sabah’s world heritage protection, says minister

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 17): The launch of the new Kinabalu Park World Heritage Site Management Plan marks a major milestone in Sabah’s commitment to protecting one of its most treasured natural assets, said State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Arifin.

Describing the plan as a strategic roadmap for the future, Jafry said it will serve as the main reference to ensure Kinabalu Park’s sustainability, in line with national and state policies such as the National Climate Change Policy, National Biodiversity Policy, and Sabah Sustainable Development Policy.

“This plan is not just a document. It is our long-term commitment to ensure that Kinabalu Park remains protected, resilient and relevant in the face of climate change, increasing visitor pressure and emerging environmental risks,” he said.

Built on four pillars — climate change adaptation, visitor capacity control, disaster risk management, and community well-being — the plan institutionalises community roles to strengthen conservation.

Jafry highlighted that Kinabalu Park’s 25-year retention of Unesco World Heritage status reflects a holistic governance framework spanning global, regional, national, and state levels.

“At the global level, our management continues to comply with the principles and guidelines of the Unesco World Heritage Convention, ensuring the protection of the park’s Outstanding Universal Value in accordance with international standards,” he said at the Silver Jubilee Celebration of Kinabalu Park as a World Heritage Site in Kundasang.

Regionally, Jafry noted that Kinabalu Park’s recognition as an Asean Heritage Park reflects Sabah’s leadership in biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia, while at the national level, its management is aligned with key policies such as the National Biodiversity Policy and the National Climate Change Policy.

“At the state level, Sabah Parks carries out its protection mandate strategically under the Parks Enactment 1984 and the Sabah Parks Strategic Plan.

“This entire framework ensures that conservation is implemented consistently, with integrity, transparency and accountability, which is crucial in maintaining the confidence of the international community,” he said.

Jafry said the park’s conservation success is further strengthened through integrated enforcement and close cooperation with strategic stakeholders, including the Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Ministry of Health, district offices and other enforcement agencies.

“This cross-agency collaboration ensures public safety, effective law enforcement, disaster preparedness and emergency management can be carried out smoothly.

“This is what we mean by empowering its protectors, everyone plays their role collectively to preserve the integrity of this World Heritage Site,” he said.

He also stressed that conservation efforts would not be complete without the involvement of local communities, whom he described as key partners in protecting Kinabalu Park.

“Local communities are involved as mountain guides, porters, honorary rangers and through the Kinabalu Mountain Customary Council.

“Their participation ensures that modern management goes hand in hand with the preservation of traditional values, customs and the sanctity of Mount Kinabalu, which holds deep spiritual significance for the people of Sabah,” he said.

Jafry said Kinabalu Park is also unique in successfully harmonising two prestigious international designations, as a Unesco World Heritage Site and a Unesco Global Geopark.

“Through the balanced model, strict protection is enforced in the World Heritage core zone, while sustainable socio-economic development for communities is allowed in the Geopark buffer zones.

“This positions Kinabalu Park as a global reference model for managing sites with dual international status,” he said.

On science and innovation, Jafry said Kinabalu Park has strengthened its role as a tropical mountain ecosystem research hub, with collaborations involving international institutions from Asia and Europe producing globally recognised, high-impact research.

He added that the 2015 Ranau earthquake was a turning point in risk and safety management, leading to the adoption of digital monitoring systems such as EarthRanger for real-time biodiversity and safety monitoring.

“This data-driven approach has made enforcement more proactive and effective,” he said.

In the tourism sector, Jafry said the park practises a “quality over quantity” approach, as reflected by its Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance (MyTQA) Platinum Grade and Asean-level recognitions.

“The economic benefits from tourism are shared inclusively with local communities, in line with the principles of sustainable development and social justice,” he said.

Jafry said the Silver Jubilee celebration of Kinabalu Park’s World Heritage status goes beyond commemorating an anniversary.

“Although Kinabalu Park was officially inscribed as a World Heritage Site on Dec 2, 2000, today’s celebration represents our collective gratitude, our sustained commitment and recognition of the combined efforts of all parties in preserving a site of Outstanding Universal Value, not only for Sabah and Malaysia, but for the world,” he said.

Summing up the theme ‘Celebrating the Treasure, Empowering Its Protectors’, Jafry said conservation must be seen as a continuous and adaptive process.

“Kinabalu Park is more than a geographical landmark. It is a natural treasure, a global biodiversity archive and a symbol of the harmonious relationship between people, nature and spiritual values passed down through generations.

“Protecting it is a shared responsibility that we must carry forward together,” he said.