Croatian climber who scaled Mount Kinabalu illegally may face fine
A Croatian climber faces potential fines after being rescued from an unsanctioned route on Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia. Local authorities are investigating the incident, which required a five-day search and rescue operation involving dozens of personnel.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the importance of adhering to local safety regulations and the significant resource burden illegal adventure activities place on local emergency services.
KOTA KINABALU, Sept 14 — The Croatian national who had to be rescued after falling while trying to ascend Mount Kinabalu on an unsanctioned route and without a permit may be slapped with a fine.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said Sabah Parks had lodged a police report over the incident involving the 46-year-old Mauro Persic, who is still in recovery.
“The police and Sabah Parks are investigating the case and looking into what action should be taken. After that, perhaps once he has recovered, we will deal with it,” he told a press conference on the state-level Malaysia Day Celebration here today.
“But considering everything… maybe he will receive a fine,” he added.
Jafry said that the incident should also serve as a lesson to the public not to use unofficial trails to climb Mount Kinabalu, as doing so could pose a safety risk.
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