Mount Kinabalu ‘strippers’ were disrespectful from the start, guide tells UK paper

(Malay Mail Online) – The mountain guide who was assigned to the 10 tourists who stripped naked on Mount Kinabalu thought the group of foreigners was disrespectful and “arrogant” from the moment the expedition started, according to a British daily.

In an exclusive interview with the Telegraph, mountain guide Nor Azlan said the group, which included two Canadians, two Dutch, a German national as well as a Briton, rarely listened to what he had to say throughout the trek up Malaysia’s tallest peak.

“They seldom listened to what I said. I felt they were disrespecting me as a guide,” the 36-year-old was quoted saying in the UK paper.

He added that the climbers’ decision to strip naked did not appear to be part of their plan but was rather an impromptu suggestion that led to the men in the group going completely nude while the women remained half-dressed.

This was after Nor repeatedly advised the group against stripping on the mountain that Sabah natives deem sacred, a move that has since received fierce backlash from local authorities who have attributed their act as the cause for an earthquake last week that claimed the lives of 18 climbers.

“I told them not to be naked on Mount Kinabalu, because it’s not appropriate. I told them other groups of tourists were nearby and they may feel offended ― but they wouldn’t listen.”

Nor noted that none of the travellers asked if their going nude was appropriate.

Malay Mail Online also reported Sabah Parks director Dr Jamili Nais as saying on June 2 that the group had also called their guide “stupid” and told him to “go to hell” when he attempted to stop them from removing their clothes.

Nor further explained to the Telegraph that one of the European women even swore at him when he tried to stop them from stripping naked, noting, however, that the woman in question was not in police custody.

“I don’t think any of them were reluctant to do that. One of the Europe woman even swore at me while I tried to advise them not to do it,” he said.

The 10 tourists were pleased with themselves after they had taken nude pictures from Mount Kinabalu, Nor said, adding that they continued to ignore him as they made their way back to a local village.

Other visitors and guides also witnessed the act as they were passing by, he added.

On a personal note, Nor said that he was offended by their actions but beyond that, he too believed that the climbers had offended the “mountain spirit” and should be punished.

“I think what they did was disgraceful. I’m a Muslim, but it’s not just about religion ― they should be more considerate towards others’ feelings,” he said.

To prevent such incidents from recurring, Jamili said they would put up signages at the headquarters and strategic spots warning against such behaviour, as well as include a new clause in the “Dos and Don’ts” briefing by the mountain guides.

Mount Kinabalu, part of the Kinabalu Park Unesco World Heritage Site, is sacred to the locals, some of whom deem it the final resting place of their ancestors.

The local Dusun community still hold yearly sacrificial rituals to appease the spirits and ask for permission for the safety of their climbers.

Four tourists — Canadian siblings Lindsey Petersen, 23 and Danielle Petersen, 22; Briton Eleanor Hawkins, 24; and Dutch national Dylan Snel, 23 — today pleaded guilty to their act and were sentenced to three days’ jail, fined RM5,000 each and ordered to be deported.

The four were charged under Section 294(a) of the Penal code for public indecency, an offence which is punishable by a maximum three months’ jail term or fine or both.

The other six are believed to have left the country.