Kota kinabalu: Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and his entourage 'conquered' the summit of Mount Kinabalu at 8.45 am today. Assistant Park Manager of the Rescue and Crisis Unit, Operations and Enforcement Division of Sabah Parks, Julaimin Kamin, reported that the ascent commenced at 3.07 am following their arrival at Panalaban at 3.45 pm the previous day.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tengku Hassanal reached the Sayat-Sayat checkpoint at 5.05 am, then continued the climb, arriving at Kilometre 8.5 by 6.37 am. The summit was finally reached at 8.45 am, with the entourage accompanying him. Julaimin noted the favorable weather conditions, with temperatures around 9.0 degrees Celsius, ensuring a safe and smooth climb.

Tengku Hassanal and his entourage spent close to an hour at the summit before making their descent back to Panalaban at 9.30 am. The expedition was part of the Mahkota Borneo Expedition, a three-day event spearheaded by Tengku Hassanal, which concluded today.

The journey started from Timpohon Gate at 8.05 am the previous day, leading to their arrival at Panalaban in the afternoon. The climbing route includes seven rest huts: Kandis Hut, Ubah Hut, Lowii Hut, Mempening Hut, Layang-Layang Hut, Paka Hut, and Waras Hut.

Standing at 4,095.2 meters above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is Malaysia's highest peak, located within the 754-square-kilometre Kinabalu Park. Established in 1964, Kinabalu Park is a biodiversity conservation area and Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is now part of the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGp), encompassing 4,750 square kilometers, including Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and parts of Ranau.