RANAU: Sabah Parks has agreed to consider increasing the payment for mountain guides and porters at Mount Kinabalu here.
Its deputy chairman Peter Lintar said the increment is in appreciation of the contributions and commitment by those involved in climbing activities.
"It is hoped that this increase in rates will give them a boost and encouragement to continue their excellent services.
"However, before it is implemented, the Mountain Guide Association must provide standard operating procedures (SOP) for the management and operation of their services so their roles and responsibilities will be clear and more transparent.
"The provision of this SOP is important to ensure the quality of mountain guiding services commensurate with the wage increase agreed by the park management," he said during the seventh-year commemoration of the June 5, 2015 earthquake.
The 6.0 quake on the Richter scale killed four mountain guides - Robbi Sapinggi, Valerian Joannes, Ricky Masirin and Joseph Solungin.
Two Malaysians, 10 Singaporeans, one Chinese and Japanese were also confirmed dead in that incident.
The tragedy had also affected the livelihoods of communities surrounding the area following the stop of Mount Kinabalu climbing activities for about six months.