SABAH TO PROMOTE BATU PUNGGUL AS "THE HIDDEN SECRET OF SABAH"

NABAWAN (Malaysia), March 6 (Bernama) -- The East Malaysia Sabah state
government hope to develop and promote Batu Punggul, situated in the Pensiangan
Parliamentary constituency, as - "The Hidden Secret of Sabah" - due to its
location in the interior.

Assistant minister for Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah Ellron
Angin said as a start the government would build rest areas and two
jetties for transportation purposes.

Providing good transportation to Batu Punggul would encourage and increase
the number of tourists to explore the forest reserve "Island" situated uniquely
in the middle of a river.

"Batu Punggul in Sepulut was left unattended since 1991 when Koperasi
Pembangunan Desa (KPD) seized their operations there. But since Batu Punggul is
seen as the epitome of the Murut people in Pensiangan and the fact that the area
has a rich history, it is fit to restore the area," he told Bernama here Friday.


Ellron said the unique feature about Batu Punggul is that the 120m by 68m
area situated on the banks of Sepulot River in the remote interior of southern
Sabah, not far from the Indonesian Kalimantan border, is a limestone massif
complete with caves.


Cave exploration is popular with the usual stalactites, stalagmites and
bats, while Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, can be found about 25
minutes' walk from the caves and the area is also home to wild orchids.

"It is possible to climb to the top of the massif for panoramic views of the
surrounding forest and at night, can enjoy impressive music from the 'jungle
symphony'.

"As limestone massifs are normally found in coastal areas, the existence of
Batu Punggul deep in the interior of Borneo is a source of geological wonder to
the scientists visiting the area," he said.

-- BERNAMA