SANDAKAN – The Sabah Forestry Department has officially measured the height of Gunung Sinsing in Tambunan, the third tallest mountain in Malaysia, to be 2,586m in mean sea level (m.s.l.) terms.
In a statement here today, the department said during a recent expedition, a team from the Forest Research Centre, Sepilok, together with Kg Nupakan Community Association members set out to get a more accurate height measurement of Gunung Sinsing using sophisticated Stonex S900A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver.
“Height data were recorded over a four-hour period on May 10 (this year). These observation data were then sent to a licensed surveying company for processing so as to officially establish the height of the mountain in m.s.l.
“Using the methodology, the height of Gunung Sinsing was found to be 2,586m (m.s.l.), yet still maintaining its position as the third tallest mountain in Malaysia and Borneo," said the statement
The lesser-known mountain is located within the Nuluhon Trusmadi Forest Reserve, under the Tambunan Forestry Office which forms part of the Forest Management Unit (FMU) 10 of the Sustainable Forest Management Project.
It has become a subject of interest since 2018 when it was claimed in social media as the third tallest mountain in Malaysia and Borneo, overtaking Gunung Tambuyukon (2,580m) located within the Monggis Substation of Kinabalu Park in Ranau.
Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan emphasised that the Forestry Department would continue protecting areas of interest like Sinsing.
Adjacent to Gunung Sinsing is Malaysia's second tallest mountain Gunung Trus Madi (2,642m), which is also under the management of FMU10, covering an area of 88,401 hectares.
“Due to Sinsing and Trus Madi’s elevations, these montane forests are home to many unique flora and fauna, some of which are not found elsewhere.
“Through the Heart of Borneo initiative under the Sabah Forestry Department, an in-house scientific expedition was organised from May 14 to 20 to survey the flora, fauna and social economics of the local communities living adjacent to the forest reserves,” said Kugan.
Malaysia’s tallest mountain Gunung Kinabalu stands at 4,095m. – Bernama, May 25, 2023
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