Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Parks (Taman-Taman Sabah), an agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (Kepkas), recorded over 200 commendable and educational programmes and events in 2025, alongside a string of awards, underscoring its strong performance in conservation, environmental education and eco-tourism development.
Kepkas Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said a total of 214 programmes and events were recorded last year covering various strategic activities such as training sessions, workshops and high-impact programmes.
Of these, he said 88 were large-scale events, reflecting the organisation’s capability to execute high-impact activities ranging from conferences and training to scientific expeditions and community-based programmes.
Among the key initiatives, he said, was the Coral Reef Restoration Programme at Tun Mustapha Park in Kudat, which achieved national recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) after 12,000 coral fragments were successfully planted through collaboration with stakeholders and local communities.
“Sabah Parks also organised the inaugural Malaysia Geopark Network Conference, strengthening collaboration and knowledge-sharing among experts and agencies at the national level.
“Environmental education remained a key focus, with the Junior Ranger programmes continuing to nurture environmental awareness among younger generations, along with scientific expeditions and seminars such as the Scientific Expedition for the Expansion of the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark (KUGGP) area in Tasik Sulaman Forest Reserve, officiated by the Chief Minister of Sabah,” he said.
Jafry said this in his speech when opening the Sabah Parks Board of Trustees Appreciation Ceremony 2025 with its theme “Upholding Excellence, Driving Sustainability” here on Friday. Also present were Kepkas Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie lai and Sabah Parks Board of Trustees Chairman Datuk Peter Lintar.
He also presented various awards to 94 recipients including 57 receiving Excellence Service Awards, one received Innovation Award, 11 received the 2025 Loyal Service Award, one received 2025 Director Special Award, five people received the Special Achievement Award: Everest Base Camp (EBC) Expedition, eight stakeholders received appreciation as well as 11 retirees, among others.
On the international front, Jafry said the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve retained its Unesco Biosphere Reserve status for another 10 years, while the Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve also received recognition at the 5th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China, from Sept 22 to 26, 2025.
“Sabah Parks further enhanced its corporate identity through innovative graphic design and the rebranding of its vehicle fleet, unveiled during the Jelajah Kasih programme held in conjunction with the closing of Sabah Parks’ Diamond Jubilee celebration, last year.
“In addition, five Sabah Parks’ staff led by its Deputy Director Maipol Spait successfully completed the Everest Base Camp high-altitude expedition in Nepal between Oct 22 and Nov 5, 2025,” he said.
Jafry said all these key achievements reflected not only efficient management, but also strong innovation and commitment in advancing conservation and environmental education agendas in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 direction.
He said Sabah Parks has also secured multiple accolades last year in digital innovation and excellence in nature-based tourism management.
“Sabah Parks emerged as a top performer at the Sabah Government Web Competition (SGWC 2025), winning the Most Inspirational Website (Champion), Best Innovation Award (Special Award), Webmaster of the Year (Champion), and The Independent Web Innovator Award (Champion).
“It also secured two Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance (MYTQA) awards organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), with Kinabalu Park receiving the Platinum Grade and Sipadan Island Park awarded the Gold Grade in the nature, adventure and eco-tourism categories,” Jafry said.
He said these recognitions will further reinforce Sabah Parks’ commitment to maintaining high standards in biodiversity conservation efforts, in line with global commitments, including international biodiversity frameworks and targets for more inclusive and effective protected areas.
“The State would continue strengthening its efforts to ensure protected areas are managed effectively while supporting community development and tourism growth.
“At the same time, we anticipate a significant increase in tourist arrivals by 2026 in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year. Therefore, park management approaches must be more strategic, data-driven, and grounded in sustainability principles, ensuring that natural beauty can be enjoyed without compromising ecosystem integrity,” Jafry said.
He said Sabah’s conservation efforts must remain guided by sound policy and scientific principles, while ensuring long-term benefits for both the environment and local communities.
“We recognise that sustainability cannot be achieved without community involvement. The planning and implementation of programmes throughout 2025 clearly demonstrate a balance between natural resource conservation, eco-tourism infrastructure development, and the overall socio-economic growth of the people.
“This approach aligns with our aspiration to ensure that Sabah continues to develop inclusively, where the benefits of conservation are shared by the community.
“In this context, efforts to strengthen education and public awareness will remain a priority, including through innovative physical and digital approaches,” Jafry said.
