MAKSINA VALLEY WAS ORDERED TO CLOSE SINCE LAST OCTOBER - RESIDENT

LAHAD DATU, May 6 (Bernama) -- The Maksina Valley in Makuau, Tungku located in the Silabukan Forest Reserve, which is about 55 kilometres from Lahad Datu town, is the preferred destination among nature lovers who like to engage in extreme activities such as river trekking.

An Eco Tourism coordinator who is also a resident of Tungku, Nasip Rolok, 45, said the area was actually ordered to be closed since last October by the Sabah Forestry Department due to the Northeast Monsoon.

”This area is famous for river trekking activities and many tourists contact us as guides, being native residents of Tungku (valley), we are really skilled with the ins and outs of the topography.

“Only a few of us have not been certified by the authorities but we still have cordial (working) relations with the authorities," he told Bernama at the scene of the incident.

He also said that the incident could have been dealt with if the activity was closely monitored by the authorities and any river trekking planned should have first secured permission from the police and the Forestry Department because the Maksina Valley area is in the (jurisdiction of the) Silabukan Forest Reserve.

“This area (Maksina Valley) is quite challenging because the (river) trail is narrow and walled in by vertical rock faces and when there is a water surge, there is no place to take shelter or run, the path is tricky and scenic which attracts visitors but it can also be treacherous,” he added.

Meanwhile, the older brother of the river trail guide Salleh Latani who died in the water surge phenomenon, Lajiman, 50, said his younger brother was working as a guide to support a wife and three children.

“I was shocked and in disbelief because my brother knew the area like the back of his hand, he is the youngest of five siblings and I was the last person to know about this incident,” he said.

According to Lajiman, his younger brother often gets job offers to be a guide in the area involved.

“Actually, I heard my younger brother initially turned down the job offer in the Maksina Valley yesterday, but he was persuaded to go,” he added.

Lahad Datu police chief ACP Dzulbaharin Ismail explained that four guides had taken 11 palm oil factory workers for river hiking activities in the Maksina Valley, Makuau, Tungku here yesterday before the water surge tragedy which claimed three lives.

-- BERNAMA