Croatian climber who scaled Mount Kinabalu illegally may face fine

Kota Kinabalu, September 14 — A Croatian climber, 46-year-old Mauro Persic, who had to be rescued after falling while ascending Mount Kinabalu through an unauthorized route without a permit, may face a fine, according to Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin. The incident, which occurred last week, has prompted the police and Sabah Parks to investigate the matter and consider appropriate action.

Jafry emphasized that the event should also serve as a cautionary tale for the public against using unofficial trails to climb Mount Kinabalu, as it could lead to safety risks. In total, 43 search and rescue personnel successfully brought Persic down after a five-day operation that was conducted under challenging terrain and rainy weather conditions.

Persic sustained injuries to his right leg, right ribs, and minor wounds on his hands during his attempt to climb the mountain from a closed-off route from Mesilou. He initially participated in an extreme adventure race in the Tambatuan area of Kota Belud. Despite the ordeal, Persic expressed gratitude to the rescue team, particularly the porter who carried him down on his back, acknowledging that the adventure was likely not worth it.