promotions aimed at attracting visitors are conducted based on a set of guidelines
to preserve the native heritage. 66
The Lenggong Valley’s listing as a world heritage site was commemorated on 10
November 2014. More importantly, the celebration served as a platform to increase
public knowledge and commitment towards protecting and conserving the
Lenggong Valley. 67 In addition, in order to ensure that only limited and necessary
developments are carried out in the area, Malaysia had submitted to the UNESCO
its management plan which spells out a special area plan and a conservation plan
that serves as a guide for the preservation and protection of the archaeological
site. 68
(b)
Sabah Parks
Sabah Parks is a statutory body established by the Government with the purpose of
preserving at all times, areas with significant geographical, geological, biological or
historical features as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of
the people of Sabah. It is also responsible to manage and promote the various
protected reserves in Sabah, in particular those designated as national parks. 69
There are currently 8 areas in Sabah that have been gazetted as national parks with
a total land area of 317,654 hectares owned by the IP.70 In many instances, the
inclusion of IP areas into national park reserves have created many frictions
between the authorities and the IPs. Affected IP landowners were restricted from
practising their traditional way of life, including hunting gathering and
Muna Khalid, ‘Exploring History of Early Man in Lenggong Valley’ My SinChew.com (Kuala Kangsar,
9 November 2012) <http://www.mysinchew.com/node/79659>accessed 26 March 2013
67
The Star Online, ‘Nov 10: Celebration of Lenggong Valley’s Recognition as Unesco World Heritage Site’, The
Star
Online
(Lenggong,
6
November
2012)
<http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/11/6/nation/20121106122729&sec=nation>;
Bernama,
‘Explore the history of early man in the Lenggong Valley’ (Kuala Kangsar, 9 November 2012)
http://www.themalaysiantimes.com.my/explore-the-history-of-early-man-in-the-lenggong-valley/> accessed
26 March 2013
68
Audrey Dermawan, ‘Management Plan for Lenggong Valley by 2014’ New Straits Times Online (Ipoh, 22 August
2012)
<http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/management-plan-for-lenggong-valley-by-20141.127863>accessed 26March 2013; Business Times, Protecting Lenggong Valley’ (Lenggong, 16 February 2014)
<http://www2.nst.com.my/business/latest/protecting-lenggong-valley-1.485041>accessed 17 October 2014
69
The Board of Trustees of the Sabah Parks, ‘Vision, Mission and Objectives’ The Official Sabah Parks Website
<http://www.sabahparks.org.my/about-us/vision-mission-objective>accessed 25 September 2014
70
Ibid.
66
20