Kota kinabalu: The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and his entourage are scheduled to begin their ascent to the summit of Mount Kinabalu as early as 2.30 am tomorrow. Sabah Parks assistant manager (Rescue and Crisis Unit, Operations and Enforcement Division), Julaimin Kamin, confirmed that His Highness and the group arrived safely at the Panalaban base camp at 3.45 pm today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the expedition began at the Timpohon Gate at 8.05 am today, passing through several main checkpoints, with the smooth progress allowing all members of the group to arrive safely. The final two members of the entourage reached Panalaban at 6.22 pm in good health and safe condition. All members were served dinner before retiring to their rooms at 7 pm to rest and recuperate. As per the initial plan for tomorrow's movement, the group is scheduled to have breakfast at 2 am before starting the climb to the summit.

Julaimin explained that the schedule is well-organised and strictly follows the initial itinerary. Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia, standing at 4,095.2 metres above sea level. The climb is a two-day, one-night expedition that requires spending the night at Panalaban before reaching the summit.

Located within the 754-square-kilometre Kinabalu Park, Mount Kinabalu is Malaysia's first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, gazetted in 1964 as a biodiversity conservation area. Kinabalu Park has since been recognised as the core area of the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGp), spanning 4,750 square kilometres across the districts of Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and parts of Ranau. KUGGp highlights Mount Kinabalu as a central identity of Sabah by linking geological, biological, and cultural values that form the local community's heritage and identity.