KUNDASANG: Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said 100 walkie-talkies will be provided to mountain guides at Mount Kinabalu.
"The Kinabalu Mountain Guides Association has asked if they could have a dedicated communications system.
"A repeater, which acts like a base station for the walkie-talkie system, would also be installed up at the mountain and we reckoned one is enough for the whole mountain coverage.
"We hope to provide them this facility in the nearest time," he told reporters at a press conference at the operations centre in Kinabalu Park.
Shabery who earlier received a briefing on the search and rescue operations in relation to the communications side, also presented RM10,000 contribution from the Ministry to the Association.
Meanwhile, he said they will propose to cabinet for a module on earthquake to be inserted under National Preparedness Month in October.
Shabery said he will also discuss with the Sabah state government on introducing an insurance system for mountain guides, as usually it was only the climbers' who are covered.