No. I did not write those words. I quoted from a travelogue entry by staffyandlyddy in Travelpod.com.
They also gave a breakdown of what they had to pay those ripp-off merchants to climb the mountain (for non-Malaysian):
Dorm Room at Park Headquarters – 85RM each
Permit to Climb Mt Kinabalu – 100RM each
Insurance (even though we have our own) – 7RM each
Guide – 85RM short trek / 100RM Long Trek – shared
Taxi from Park HQ to Start Point – 85RM – shared
Room on Laban Rata (halfway point) – 208RM each (including really poor meals)
Total cost (if climbing individually on short trek) – 555RM (111 Euro) for the 2 nights.
You can read their entry here.
Sutera Sanctuary Lodges - the rip-off
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It’s a big blow to Sutera’s reputation, but they should have seen it coming. I have friends and acquaintances all these while who’ve experienced Suter Sanctuary Lodges’ mediocre services and cut-throat prices.
well, sutera santuary lodges increase the price again (malaysian)
2007 – RM 30/nite
2008 – RM 180/nite
2009 – RM 250/nite
that is too much. anything we can do about it? seems like some people
really make a lot of money. but still thinking not enough. greedy isn’t?
drizad, this things make my blood boil….
but this is where the power of internet comes….
I will start a cause to boycott the climbing of Kinabalu in my blog and in Facebook….
or if anyone would like to take the initiative, pls let us know…
they must be punished, Gunung Kinabalu does not belong to them!
You don’t rip people off just because you are capable of doing so, especially when you don’t have an ounce of right to do so!
@ KakiAyam:
Thanks very much. Yeah… I think you have a point there. I will support you!
i don’t think boycott work on sutera santuary lodges. they have so much
demand that the place is full almost everyday. weekend fully booked as early as 6 month. too many demand. Tourist may be able to pay, but sabahan
simply can not afford that amount.
there is no clear reason for them to increase the price. there is no significant
profit loss with fuel hike. i am completely mad to know that they increase thee price again after increasing the price almost 500% early this year.
i met a tourist from Quebec refuse to climb mount kinabalu because she
really do not like why there is a significant difference in non-malaysia and
malaysian fee (of course the laban rata fee too).
i encourage anyone. write something in the blog. post comment to newspaper (daily express etc) or write letter to sabah tourism or sabah
park.
we don’t want this Sutera Santuary Lodges treat us like this.
it is not reasonable ! at all!
Hi…just found your blog. Coincidence.(actually im goggling for NEOSTRATA product)
Really L O V E Mount Kinabalu.
Hi all,
Could anyone compile the rise in cost like Bayau and mail to me?
I need price comparison, but not knowing where to get the details.
Could anyone provide the cost for the past three years for m’sian and foreigners?
Not only for the accomodation, but also for other fees as well.
Thank you.
KaKiaYam
for you info, i believe this happen not only in sabah
2007 malaysian – RM30, foreigner – RM100
in sabah, some of the taxi in kk charge foreigner in USD..
if the meter saya RM 30.. they say 30 dolar (USD 30) .
Hi drizad,
This is to inform you that I have started a cause in Facebook. And I have included your article and one comment from bayau. Do let me know if you are uncomfortable with the words and references used in the ’cause’ inside facebook.
Thanks!
KaKiaYam
@ KaKiaYam:
Could you please share with us the link to the cause?
Thanks…
well, not exactly your article in it’s entirety, but a link to this article in your blog…
as for the cause, here goes -
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/125792?m=473a7383&recruiter_id=7208065
Thanks!
GOOD!!! KAKI AYAM!!!
i am ur supporter!!!
1. Before 2008… the Accommodation price only
RM3/person… then increased to RM12/Person… RM18/person… RM30/person….
2. Start on the 18th Jan 2008, SUTERA SANCTUARY started selling new package.. Forcing climbers to buy the new package… included the meals…
the price increase more than 6times…. from RM30/person to RM188/person….
3. Now, they start selling at RM290/person for Gunting Langadan/non-heater room…. and RM350/person for Laban Rata… for the year of 2009….
but,
i am wonders…
1. How can the Ministry Of Tourism approved this new rate?
2. Ministry dont know? Not care about the locals? Not care about the Climbers? Not care about Tour Company?
3. Ministry involve in C……..N???
PLS TAKE SOME ACTION ON IT??? BN ALREADY LOSE CONFIDENT IN PENINSULAR!!!!! U want SABAH to be the next?
by the way!!!
1. Sabah Parks is doing good work to limit the climbing permit, 146/day!
2. Because they really doing conservation work in The World Heritage- Kinabalu Park…
3. According to the experts… the carrying capacity of the mount kinabalu only allow 146climbers/day!!!
GOOD JOB SABAH PARKS!!!
And,
1. A lot of tour and travels company cant survive with this new rate!
2. How can a tour company requet from the guest after confirmed booking or fully paid the tour package fee???
Eg”Sorry boss, Sutera Sanctuary increase from RM30-188… so our company need to increase another RM160/person in ur package…. i am very sorry for the inconvinient…”
3. The locals have no more chance to climb MOunt kinabalu- The first World Heritage in Malaysia!!! because of the BURDEN accommodation package!!!
MOST OF THE NEW ESTABLISH COMPANY WILL FACE BANKRUPCY!!!
How can a company profit but burden all the Travel Companies?
1. SSL bring more rubbish into the park than the improvement in facilities… because selling new package with Pack lunch which is included… plastic, Tapperware, aluminium foil, plactic water Bottle with the Sutera Sanctuary Brand, 100plus tin……
2. All the travels companies going to bankrupt because of the Selfish SuteraSanctuary!!!
PLS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT MOUNT KINABALU IS NOT BELONGS TO SUTERA SANCTUARY OR SUTERA HABOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT IS BELONGS TO ALL MALAYSIAN…. AND ALSO ALL MANKIND!!!
STGA(Sabah Tourist Guide Association):
1. What is ur comment?
2. No action taken?
3. How can the Tourist Guide survive?
WHAT FOR FORMING UP A ASSOCIATION AND NO ACTION TAKEN???
u are welcome to Email me if got any comment… thanks!
SuteraSanctuaryIsABloodSucker@yahoo.com!
Chong
OMG, early of year 2008, i had a climbing trip thru agent ,it only cost me RM200++ exclude the food. I am planning another climbing on May 2009, and very surprice to get the new quote from the same agent. It is about 4 times of the price at year 2008. It is too expensive. I feel very angry with it. How come the price can simply go high without any monitoring by Sabah government and any related department. I am pretty sad on it.
I am truly shocked! To think that climbing Kinabalu was so easy and cheap before.. I pity the high school students now, because they can’t possibly afford the cost to climb the mountain now. When I was in secondary school, we only need to pay not more than RM100 for the whole climbing trip (minus food)….
How could SSL do this to Malaysians???!! *ssh*les!
Hi all, I suggest some of you could duplicate the comments over here and post it up to the wall in Facebook.
Not that I want to divert the traffic from here, but i guess we could spread this message effectively and faster through facebook. But this article will always remain the main focus point, just a pity that I could not include it into the Media Box. Drizad, could you try to include this web page into the Media Link?
Thanks.
KaKiaYam
@ KaKiaYam:
I am not sure whether I could do it, but I will try my best to include this post into the Media Box. Anybody wants to teach me how?
Not only Sutera Sanctuary sucks. Even the Mountain Torq also not doing a good job.
Mountain Torq has now appointed xxx Travel Agent as the sale promoter.
Here goes the story,
My friends did pre-booked Laban Rata , and took up Mountain Torq via feratta -Low’s Peak circuit activity only ( seperated booking) , both booking were confirmed and paid in advance.
Later when Mountain Torq appointed xxx Travel Agent as the sale operator, policy changed, they will not sell the via feratta activities seperately without accommodation. They have to take the full board package which cost Rm 860.
Seem like the peoples are making big money out of the heritage.
i think, we should forward this matter to Dtk Masidi…since dia pun org Ranau juga bah…so we hope dia buli campur tangan juga…
HE…. Not only staying at Ranau…. But is a Minister!!! in Ministry of Tourism in Sabah!!!!!
thanks to all supporters!!!
i am trying to post/email to all the newspaper editor…. or reporter!!!!
those got forum account!!! pls upload this article!!! thanks!!!!
cari forum… travellerpoint… Backpacker…. E-sabah…… thanks thanks thanks!!!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
let me know if got any suggestion….
Suterasanctuaryisabloodsucker@yahoo.com!!!!
Chong
Yah, when I first call Mountain Torq, they ask me to call to 2 or 3 tour agents that sells the package which stays at Pendant hut and do the via ferrata. But when I say that I already have SSL, than they said not problem, I can book my via ferrata activity direct with them. So I book the Low’s Peak Circuit for me and my sayang.
I can’t wait! I am going next month!!
Leong, so I don’t understand why you have that experience.
My dream of getting up Mt Kinabalu during my study years (90’s) was cut short due to the expensive flight fare by MAS. Came Airasia, my dream came true May last year. Just as I was about to recall my awesome moments up in the majestic peak, I came across this horrible issue.
What are they doing?!! Not just us Malaysian find it difficult to spend that much, I presume foreign backpackers as well will run away from Sabah. Once Mt Kinabalu is scaring off budget travellers, I bet you can say good bye to Sabah tourist attraction. Don’t think so many local rich people climb mountains. Foreign tourists rather spend & climb mountains in Indonesia which maybe way more cheaper.
Nora,
It was happened on last month,
At first they do agree can do separate booking SSL accommodation and take up Low’s peak circuit activity only.
Later we were informed that we are not allowed to do so.
Leong,
Really!!! Funny, when I talk to Mountain Torq and explain that I already have booking at SSL, than they were ok and let me book. But before that, when I speak to the agents, they say only package. I think the agents around KK are not very good!!! Maybe they are just trying to earn more money at our expense
I just called to enquire about accommodation in Grace Hostel in Kinabalu Park, a dorm room and they quoted me RM70!Like…what on earth is happening here??It’s a dorm room and just a bed for heaven’s sake!And hostels are SUPPOSED to be cheap!How can Sabah Parks allow Sutera Sanctuary Lodge to take charge of this alone from top to bottom??This is totally unacceptable. I think we all should sign a petition about this and present to Sabah Authorities. Poor foreigners who wants to just climb the mountain and be done with it, and are faced with ridiculous amout to pay. I will have to forfeit my plans to climb via ferrata becoz of the high cost!Why is everyone capitalising on this????
@ Kuna:
RM70 for Grace Hostel??? WHAT? I remember paying only RM12 per night couple of years ago…
Plan to climb-up early next year but the cost will kill me.
anyone planning a pertition o this. Just let me know, i am all into this. Honestly, i really do not like the SSL management. The people (costumer service is nice) but the management who want to get more money is not. I really like to see some better company take over their monopoly.
SSL..The ‘SELFISH’ Management..
any idea? where can i get the price yg tak bunuh i.
everything dah confirm for next year, only SSL kill my dreammmmmmmm
just climbed mt kinabalu through mesilau route last week. yeah..the price inreased 600%. last year i climbed through the same route… it only cost me less than RM140 (including bed, guide, permit etc). This year, i need to pay RM430 for the same things which i did last year. Gunting Lagadan Hostel which cost me only RM30 last year inreased to RM188 this year. I heard it will increase again next year. Poor to sabahan, they might have no chances to climb this mountain which i think only tourist from outside sabah who willing to pay for the price. I think, SSL should give cheaper price for malaysian.
Having the opportunity to meet up with state/federal ministers like YB Dtk Masidi and Tan Sri Bernard in the course of my duties, I will try to bring this matter of importance to all Sabahans with them and discuss with them.
Can ask them the questions and highlight the problem for Sabahans esp with Dtk Masidi as he’s currentlyTourism minister but can’t promise I will get a ’straight’ answer from him. Seems there are ‘certain quarters’ with ‘political connections and interests’ behind the scenes on this..
Ok the story i heard from was Sabah Parks (S.P.) were fed up with handling the rising amount no. of complaints for years from various quarters about all aspect of the management of the mountain and parks i.e. room booking problems, toilet not clean lar etc.
As such S.P. took the easy way out (instead of improving their services n hiring more manpower) by washing their hands clean of the matter and decided to tender out to the highest bidder the management of the parks-which ended up being won by Sutera’s (Dtk Ong) group along with the right to do as it pleases with the condition also that any expenses i.e renovations to be borne by the group. So how did they win the rights eventually from the govt? well il leave that for you to figure out lar.
And that in a nutshell is how this predicament came about to affect all Sabahans. Which is why if u go to Sabah Parks and complain to them u wont get anywhere cos the stopped to care from the day they tendered it out.
hi all,
i got 4 quotations from 4 different tour operators for 2009 climb..
mesilau route: average cost is around rm1500 ~ rm1600
timpohon route: average cost is around rm1200~rm1300
these quotes are for 3D2N package+ transportation from KK>Park>KK
pheww…and it doesnt include the flight ticket yet and etc……
how to dooooo???
do you know how much i pay early this year (as for 16 jan 2008), climb mount kinabalu plus transport from kk-kinabalu park only cost me RM180. it is 2D1N package. but of course it is cheap because i went on my own. if using travel agent (depend on which agent) about RM450. 3D2N is around RM700++ last time. Increase in RM500, the travel
agent do not make much money but just to cover up the cost of SSL. 3D2N is a package they force you to buy. As you know, they make it as a package. On what the
custumer service tell me, you can only book the gunting lagadan or laban rata within
1 month (last minute). if not you have to buy the package 2N (stay in kinabalu park and gunting lagadan/laban rata).
You know rich people like dtk.ong, really good at making money. and sometime make people suffer. it is true, when someone make some much money. someone else will lose as much. and when someone win some will lose. in this case, i am on the lose
side. and i don’t really like it.
Now, going on my own. estimated cost is RM500. I think i am going to shift my interest to mount trus madi. The cost is less than RM300 (calculated early this year RM280). It is not the tallest mountain but the forest is much beautiful than what mount kinabalu has.
bayau,
may i know, the estimated cost of rm500 is for 2D1N right?..
and, what do you mean ” going on my own”…
does it mean:
1. transportation KK>PARK>KK by your own..
2. ??
3. ??
if it means that we can cut the budget, i would like to try on my own…
thx bayau..
if you go without travel agent. you can save a lot of money. and yes it includes transportation. but, maybe not good for you. transportation from kk to kinabalu park is only RM15 one way. but you have to use public transportation to kundasang or ranau.
it maybe not very comfortable but it works for me. if you really want to see how it is, then
that is it. But you can’t book the 1N stay if you book earlier than 1 month. it is fine if you go
with few friend (1, 2, 3 or 4) because most of the time, the place already fully book within 2 month (big travel company prebook) from the climb date.
I have few quotations from travel agent for the 3days2nights package, all is above RM750. It is a quite standard price for next year climbing package? My booking date is May 09. Anyone of you get a cheaper quotation? I am from West Malaysia.
Hi Jee,
You already got the price for May 09? Wow! Last week when I called the SSL, they informed me the package is not open yet. And have to wait till next month to book the climb.. Very interesting. But then I managed to get the price before May 09 climb for 2D1N:-
RM290/- Without heater
RM330/- With heater
And this price is going to be increased for May09 package. So, don’t be suprised if you get higher price or more than 100% increasement from the price you get now!
Hi Ranau_Girl,
The price you stated is just room rate at Laban rata only,right? Not included the climbing fee and etc climbing charges.
SSL do send me a rate 2009 last month and the room rate same as you stated. But SSL do not mention the price is only valid until April.
Very dissapointed with SSL, everything going without oriented.
My quotation actually from travel agent, not direct from SSL.
Jee,
i would like to get some help here..
can you please e-mail to me the the adress (email) of those travel agent which you’re dealing with..
thanks
akhwan.abdullah@gmail.com
if u all can get better price, pls let me know
What the hell they are doing? Try to cheat as much as possible and provide the same thing? It kills many malaysian dream. Hope government will do something to prevent such stupid thing happen again. Hw come the price can increase and increase from RM30 to RM188 =.=” really no idea..
i also planning to go at July nest year
just got the quotation from travel agent that 3D2N pakages cost 800 per person
gosh!! i remember when i visit to kinabalu in 2007, just cost me 300++
what happend to SSL??
JEE , i also need your help too…could you send your travel agent e-mail to me?
minileong@gmail.com
i think we should just cancel the trip =.=” go for island..anyway, anyone can tell me that RM290/- Without heater 2D1N..is it per room or per person??really frustrated with the price..or we can find more ppl for a room??bayau..i need ur help..any suggestion for me?
cs, you will be surprise everything is expensive in sabah. 1 year ago, i can buy meal for RM3.00
now the average price is RM4.50, go to mamak and you will be amazed if they say RM6.00, the inflation rate in sabah seems the highest in malaysia.
The cheapest way is to go on your own without a travel agent.
RM290 is per person. this price i think the travel agent already make up the price.(a common practice for bussiness).
in one very small room there is 4 bed. and each bed is RM188/person (before 2009 for malaysian) and RM250(non malaysian) the same room with better condition you can get for RM18/night + breakfast in kota kinabalu.
by 2009 SSL will increase the price to RM250/bed for malaysian. you only stay there from 4pm to 2am about 10hours. (Actually the charge come with buffet meal).
still.that is too expensive!
jee…
email me the quotation
zihan67@yahoo.com.my
sorrry typo error
zihan672@yahoo.com.my
thanks,bayau..thanks for ur information..by the way,”…..and RM250(non malaysian) the same room with better condition you can get for RM18/night + breakfast in kota kinabalu.”,i m not so understand bout this statement..”"can get RM18/night+breakfast”"..
RM18/night + breakfast, you can find some backpacker lodge in kota kinabalu with this price. RM18/night i paid/person earlier this year. I am not sure what is the price after the fuel price hike. but you can definitely can find a price less than RM30 per night.
backpacker lodge?then hw i can get it?need to book??That’s means i can stay for one night that is around RM30??with backpack price?i think i will take it
hey, hey, would like to promote Borneo backpackers. Been there and just like the place so much!
My cousin just just paid for this booking with W&W Adventure, for the two of us. When I first heard the price, I seriously was going to faint thinking that she was totally ripped off as a non-malaysian. (And we are..!)
Anyway, can you guys who are more familiar with the area please read through the details of our package and tell me if I should just try to sell it to someone else? Has anyone stayed at Grace Hotel or Warus Hut before? Are these really crap places to stay?
Total Pax: 2 pax
Package Rate: RM1,200/pax
Package inclusive of:
- Private Car: Airport/Park/Airport transfer
- 1 night at Grace Hostel + buffer dinner at Balsam Restaurant
- 1 night at Warus Hut + buffet breakfast + packed lunch + buffet dinner + next day
buffet breakfast + lunch
- Permit/climbing insurance/entrance fee/guide
- Service charge
- Guiding in training & preparation
Package exclusive of:
1. Return air fare.
2. Meals which are not stated in the itinerary
3. Porter and baggage storage fee at Park HQ. (Baggage can be kept by our driver at
RM3/bag. Park is charging RM10/bag)
4. All personal bill
Well since they have monopoly on the mountain-They’l keep raising the price higher and higher becos of a)Market forces(demand > supply) i.e. there are still tons of people coming to them to climb and are willing to fork out the latest crazy price they ask for.
and
b) becos they can.
wow…so many complaints:-)
1. This is a business and they will treat it as a business. Cannot blame them 100% for this. I go there a few times in a year and their services are good, facilities are better, cleanliness has improved.They have also improved on the quality of the hostels and chalets. They’ve done extensive renovations since 2 years ago .
2. If you want the prices to go down, lower down the demand and automatically the supply will be forced to go down..and at the same time..the pricing. However, it’s not happening. why? because our Kinabalu Mountain is just to ‘tempting’ ,so beautiful and an experience to savor.
3.If you cannot afford it, don’t go! easy..save your money and go to sipadan island, manukan island, or even you can opt for the ‘home-stay’program where you can stay with the local families and experience the ethnic lifestyles.
4. You pay for the wonderful and exciting experience. Hey..it’s worth it. (btw, can you tell me how much they pay to climb mount everest?)
5. You can also opt to climb other ‘mountains of sabah’
a. climb the Mount TrusMadi.
Mount Trus Madi or Trusmadi is Malaysia’s second highest mountain at 2,642 metres (8,668 ft). It lies in the state of Sabah, close to Mount Kinabalu. The mountain supports a wide range of unique flora and fauna, perhaps most notably Nepenthes macrophylla, a species of pitcher plant.
-You can read more here.http://www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/articles/CPNv13n2p38_40.pdf
b.. Go to Mount Lumarku or Lumaku.
It is a mountain in southwestern Sabah. The pitcher plant species Nepenthes fusca, Nepenthes hurrelliana, and Nepenthes tentaculata are native to this mountain.
c. Mount Tambuyukon or Tamboyukon is Malaysia’s third highest mountain at 2,579 m (8,462 ft). It lies close to the famous Mount Kinabalu. The mountain supports a wide range of unique flora and fauna, including a number of pitcher plant species of the genus Nepenthes.
d. lastly, you can also opt for Mount Danum. Mount Danum is the highest peak in Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia with the height of 1,093 m.
P/S: I don’t get any commission for writing this up and I am NOT working with SSL. I am writing this as a response to all the comments above. This is my own personal opinion.If you can’t afford it, then don’t go climb the mountain.
Well, I think most of you have experience far tamer than me vis-a-vis dealing with SSL. Mine nearly ended up with my taking legal action against SSL for unethical business practice.
Here’s the condensed version of my experience:-
I had been requesting for beds since August 2007 for March 2008 climb; everytime the reply that came was “Not ready for booking” though the company’s website states that booking is open 6 months in advance. As recent as 3rd week of October 2007, that was the reply.
I called its KL sales office on 29 Oct 2007 and was told that all accommodations for March 2008 were sold out. When questioned and subsequently provided with copies of email correspondences that “booking was not open”, they changed their tune – “accommodations are still available but you must buy our climbing packages”.
They wanted RM1,000+ from each of us (6 pax) if we want to climb on a 4d/3n basis! If I use my own arrangement, I only fork out RM592.
On 3 November 2007 I received a call from SSL’s rep concerning my complaints lodged with the relevant authorities re the unethical manner in which SSL is conducting its business.
I didn’t blame the SSL’s rep; she’s just doing her job as instructed by SSL. According to the rep, SP gave the blessing for the revised cut throat pricings.
Well, I supposed like that, I can’t say or do much. But why the heck piled us with all those craps about “booking not open” & then “all sold out”? Read more and see if you are as outraged as I am.
According to the rep, it’s true that until end Sept 2007 no booking was accepted for year 2008. Booking was only opened on 1 Oct 2007. BUT not for Malaysians! It’s for group tourists from Japan and Korea!! The rep further said that it was only on 15 Oct 2007 that SSL opened the booking to other people. What a load of hogwash! I called the KL Regional Sales Office on 17 Oct 2007 and was told “booking not open”.
That’s what pissed me off tremendously. Are we Malaysians second class tourists in our own country? So what if the rates for Malaysians are lower? We still have the rights to climb Mt Kinabalu. Mt Kinabalu DOESN’T BELONG to SSL or SP. It belongs to us, Malaysians! This is outright discrimination against Malaysians.
I told the rep that my team and I can afford to pay 100% upfront. So what’s the point of telling me that those foreign tourists paid upfront? Does it make any difference?
My complaints lodged with Sabah Parks and Sabah Tourism Board were ignored – the former washing its hands clean by instructing SSL to sort it out with me while STB was singing “Silence Is Golden”.
At the end of the day, we did manage to secure the no-frills rate but the facilities at Waras Hut were appalling. The food taken at Blassam & Laban Rata was yuckky (we only bought what we wanted otherwise we took care of our own meals) – way worse than they were back in 2001/2004.
My friends wanted me to take them up Mt Kinabalu again this year (2009) but I told them to forget it given the absolutely ridiculus manner in which SSL is conducting itself. I told my friends to spread the word that everyone should boycott SSL’s run places till the whole bloody business runs aground.
I understand from The Star of 31 January 2009 that SSL pays nearly RM1 million a year to Sabah Parks for the rights to “manage” Kinabalu National Park. The way I see it is since SSL charges on an average RM400 per climber, if we can spread the word and have about 2,500 potential climbers boycotting the place that means SSL would have to cough out RM1 million out of its own pocket to pay Sabah Parks – let’s see how long can SSL tahan. So let’s work hard to get at least 2,500 boycotts though I have to sympathise with the local workers & guides since they will lose their income (but then again, from what I heard from the guides, they didn’t get the entire fee just a portion while the rest was pocketed by “you know who”).
you sad badpackers…who cares if you’re on 20 euro a day for 2 years travelling the world. Almost half the world’s population lives on less than a dollar a day..get a job, get a life, and realise how lucky you all are…
Eric…I’m not even suprise to hear that!
To those who have any grievences against SSL should direct their complaints to the Ministry of Tourism:
http://kepkas.sabah.gov.my/contact-us.html. Let them know the whole process is actually a MONOPOLY granted to SSL. The ministry should take over the running of all parks rather than contracted them to private firms, taking the turtle island for example, I was from Kulapis and wI remembered when we were small, we used to go there to play, now it is going to cost over RM500 for a night stay!!! how many of us working Malaysian can afford this? Why can’t Sabah Park be run like SSL, the Ministry can start up a trainning scheme (to international standards) we have the people willing to work local people, all SSL have was money to start, but if this is a government project it will not let it fail moreover, tourism is the key to Sabah’s future as it brings in invisible income to Sabah. ! Malaysia for all Malaysian and jobs for the locals too.
I just got back from climbing Low’s peak using the timpohon route. I was very well aware of this mess created by SSL from 2 years ago. We were forced to spend RM1000+ each payable to a tour agent at kundasang. Only he had available slots on the dates we wanted. We booked with him in October 2008 to climb in June 2009. That is 9 months in advance!
I think it takes much more to teach SSL a hard lesson and to make them realise that greed does not pay! It is a sad fact that the politicians we have in Sabah are a bunch of running dogs who are strung up as puppets by their peninsular masters. They can be easily bought for a couple of RM. That was how the SSL greeds could take over the mountain which belongs to the people. Talk to any kampong folks in the interiors of Sabah and you will hear all kinds of stories abt the idiots we have in govt.
Anyway, for the tons of RM we paid for this trip, my biggest complaint would be that the balsam cafe where we were suppose to have our lunch (after our descent) was riddled with FLIES!!!!!!…..there were flies all over the place….on the table, on the floor, ON THE FOOD!!!…etc.
When we saw the situation, we decided to forgo that lunch, less we end up suffering from food poisoning or diarrhea for the rest of our trip in KK.
I would really love to climb the mount again, but all of us really need to force SSL out from there.
it’s true, sutera is a blood sucker……i start climb mount kinabalu since 16yo…. that time i remember only rm100.next week will be my 11th time there it cost me around rm600-700…do you all think this is resonable?for sabahan also difficult to climb their own moutain……..but it is glad to see the respone from all mt kinabalu lover here…….Sutera Sanctuary is suck.then i will join a tour to trusmadi in oct……so for mountain lover do keep in touch daewood_78@yahoo.com
what to do?i already cancel the trip for twice becoz of the expensive amount..but i will go sabah kk again but not for kk mountain..i have no chance to say “nice to meet you” with mount kk
DEAR ALL,BIG TQ TO ALL WHO HAVE BEEN DUMPED BY THE SSL,I HAVE BEEN SCALING THE MOUNT SINCE 1989,
EVER SINCE THE PRICE HAD INCREASE VERY VERY HIGH.,TO MAKE MATTERS WORST THEIR SYSTEM OF BOOKING
SOMETIME VERY CONFUSING,WHEN WE CALL AND GIVE THE DATE,THEY SAID ALL BEEN BOOKED!ANYWAY I STILL
LOVE TO CLIMB MOUNT KINABALU AND MAYBE NEXT YEAR I AM COMING!
TQ.,BYE.
OMAR
Hi all, I’m covering the SSL issue on my blog http://www.cj.my\adventuremadness and have linked this blog back to my site.Have also copied some comments , please feel free to comment on my site as well. hopefully someone will notice as we are intending to do a full crackdown on SSL and claim back mt.kinabalu.thanks!
I just got the new price for 2D1N package at Laban Ranta at RM542, if including other fees. Total costs will be around RM700. So expensive.
Maybe I have to revise my plan of no Mt.Kinabalu climbing.
Jakjan, that’s where the dilemma comes….Kinabalu is too beautiful not to climb, but at the same time, we want to protest to the Sutera for charging the exorbitant cost….
i heard recently they will be building a hotel right at the foot of the mountain….sigh….and so bloody near to the park some more…!!
this is ridiculous!!!
Guys,
Does anyone know who is the Director/CEO/higher management of SSL? I am in the process of making a video documentary to exploit this rip-off, and I need some interviews done. Maybe when the vid is uploaded, some authorities will OPEN THEIR EYES. Can someone help? I can be contacted at niggaz08@yahoo.com. Also for those of you who wants to tell about your bad experience with SSL, please also email me so I can compile it together. Please include your name, age, occupation.If you do not want to be quoted, then please leave it blank.
Thanks all!
Hiya Kuna,
You can refer to my experience here:-
http://www.malsingmaps.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2997
You will need to read through the entire thread to understand how unethical SSL was in dealing with me (luckily for me, they made the mistake of admitting they screwed up so I told them if I didn’t get what was originally advertised, SSL would be as good as screwed).
hi all,
i climbed mt kinabalu in june this year (2009) with my friends. it was certainly a great mountain with beautiful view n experience. the climb cost us around RM350-00 which included 1 night stay @ Laban Rata, the meals, certificate, climbing fee, insurance, entrance fee and mountain guide fee. this is still considered cheap since we only paid to SSL for the accomodation n meals, whereas the rest of the fees n charges we paid at the registration counter on the climbing day.
so i decided to climb again next year with a bigger group and for that i sent an e-mail to SSL and requested for a quotation. to my shocking, this blood suckers (SSL) informed me that for next year (2010), we need to take a 3D2N package with them if we wanna climb mt kinabalu. and that will cost a minimum of around RM530 per person for just 2 nights accomodation (one at Laban Rata n another at Kinabalu Park) and all the poor meals excluding any fees and charges.
who on earth leased the mountain to this blood suckers? this is really getting out of control and they are acting as if they own the mountain. we have to do something to stop them from continuing their greedy approach. now i’m contemplating of canceling the climb and climb other mountains like trusmadi (sabah) or mulu (sarawak) or other mountains in asian countries.
what a greedy corporation they have become and this ain’t doing any good for sabah tourism.
Hello strider,
do you by any chance have an invoice etc stating this price by SSL? Usually when you request for a quote, they’ll email you an invoice and then after payment is made they’ll email you the confo.If you do and if you are willing to participate in the interview, please drop me a line at kunadgr8 at gmail dot com.I am compiling all the reports of the SSL rip off to be made into a video.Thanks.
Why the price quotation is so different?
Mine is 2D1N @ RM542 (at Laban Rata) while #70 get 3D2N @ RM530.
Is the latter the Group’s price? I don’t understand the standard of SSL’s pricing at all.
http://www.cj.my/adventuremadness
please help me support this cause by commenting on the website. we are malaysiakini’s citizen journalists and we are going to do something about this.
such a shame, i was planning a trip to kinabalu, whilst im sure the mountain is beautifal i refuse to support such ridiculous price increases on principle. I’ll just wait until I get to nepal for a better climb. thanks for making this website though
I have climbed this mountain 4 times some years ago and so has my family. The cost was manageable and the experience was unforgettable. It is sad that Malaysian families and other people like me will not be able to experience the beauty of Kinabalu because of the greed of a few people. This saga of greed and deception points to a higher failing at the political and government level. Unless you fix that, there will always be greedy Towkays taking advantage of beautiful Sabah. The same story is repeated again and again where the natural resources of the state are prostituted for money to a few bastards who will never stop until they destroy everything. Change the government.
its not an isue of how much it costs, but of where that money goes.
how much for track work?
how much for fair and reasonable wages for the local staff?
how much for insurance?
we cant begrudge someone for making a profit.
most of us want to work to earn, save and spend. not just to survive.
i am not saying it is right to exploit something to make money, its not, i agree.
we all need to weigh up whether we think that our hard earned cash spent going to these places is going to be used to ensure that these places will still be around for future generations to go to.
the cost is not the issue.
its a question of whether the curret managers are ensuring responsible usage of the area, leading to preservation of a finite resource.
are they?
you decide.
Dave
my only regret, not finding this side before i started organising a small group to climb the mount…sigh. what a rip-off indeed,it cost me less than 300RM for the trip in 2007. every one should boycot them,now we have very cheap flight tickets to KK but no mountain to climb.hope someone will stop this nonsence…. TO HELL WITH SSL.
I look forward to climbing mt kinabalu on this october and start to get in touch with SSL as the only one operator for accomodation at laban rata.
they offer me 3d/2n package. and it cost me 1500RM/couple (that means 750 for each) and 988RM for 1 person if you took solo hiking trip. the price exclude round transport fee KP HQ to mesilau (85RM) or timpohon (16.5RM) , guide fee (95RM), entrance fee (15RM), climbing permit (100RM non Malaysian) it means 318.5RM total.
so, total price if I took 3D/2N couple package is 1068.5RM/each person
wow… expensive!
and I don’t think that there is a way to manage our own hiking arrangement without taking SSL package. since they become the one and only operator.
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