The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry is looking into building a tourism complex for visitors to have better views of and experience Sabah's wildlife habitat in Lower Kinabatangan when the tourism industry is revived.

Its minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said currently, there were boat cruise packages for visitors to get a glimpse of wildlife activities along the Kinabatangan River.

“Many of the wildlife species are on land, but tourists currently can only view them from the river.

“So, my ministry will leave it to the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) to identify a suitable site for the complex, preferably in Sukau, the viability of the proposed complex, estimated cost, size and amenities,” he told reporters after wrapping up his visit to Sukau.

Jafry said the wildlife of Sabah was considered one of the best in the world, especially in Kinabatangan, and attracted many tourists from worldwide.

He believed that the wildlife of Kinabatangan should be protected by the entire Community and by the government.

Jafry said that his ministry recognise the Kinabatangan River as a wildlife sanctuary in order to strengthen the government's efforts to protect wildlife.

“Only mainland Lower Kinabatangan was gazetted as a wildlife sanctuary involving 26,000 hectares in 2005,” he added.

Jafry also said that his ministry aims to set up the Gomantong Caves tourist facilities in a forest reserve nearby.

He said that the government would discuss the matter with the related departments, such as SWD and the Sabah Forest Department.