"Climbing the 4,095m mountain by encroaching on the trail network should be deemed a criminal act."
Jamili, who once served as Sabah Parks director and was a custodian of the revered mountain, said this following the recent rescue of a 46-year-old Croatian climber in a five-day operation involving dozens of personnel from various agencies.
The climber, Mauro Persic, who less than a fortnight ago took part in an extreme adventure race in the Tambatuan area of Kota Belud, ascended Mount Kinabalu via an eastern route, a trail that links to villages that depend on spring water sources in the Kundasang area.
"Climbing the sacred Mount Kinabalu without a valid permit and through an unauthorised route ought to be criminalised. Violators should spend time in jail to deter others," he said.
He said eastern Europeans had been caught committing similar violations before, using excuses such as being unaware of the regulations or not understanding the language.
"I know for a fact this is not the first time, nor will it be the last."
Trespassers would also likely defecate along the unauthorised routes they use, spoiling the natural surroundings in their wrongful quest, he said.
"Their actions defile an area considered a sacred place by the Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus communities, including those living around the foothills of the mountain.
"When something goes wrong, they cause a lot of inconvenience and waste a lot of money in search and rescue efforts," Jamili added.
Persic sent a distress signal last weekend, triggering a rescue effort involving the Fire and Rescue Department, Sabah Parks, mountain guides, porters, medical personnel and police.
Persic appeared to have fallen and sustained injuries. Rescuers found him and, by Thursday night, brought him from about 3,000m to Timpohon Gate, the starting point of the Mount Kinabalu trail. He was then sent to the district hospital, where he is recuperating.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the whole episode serves as an important reminder to all climbers to use only official routes, engage licensed operators and strictly follow the instructions of mountain guides.
Kota Kinabalu Native Court judge Rocky Mabin said that, in addition to criminal charges that could be brought against those who violate park regulations, Native Laws could also be used to prosecute trespassers.
"Trespassers are considered disrespectful of a sacred resting place for the departed.
"This is according to the old ways of our community," Rocky said, stressing that Mount Kinabalu must be respected.
The community believes that bad things can happen if the mountain is disrespected, citing the June 5, 2015 earthquake as an example.
Seven foreign tourists had posed nude along the summit trail shortly before the earthquake. Some were eventually reprimanded and deported. - NST
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