RANAU: Like other Malaysians, Nizam Laukung Abdullah has not been spared from the effects of the rising cost of living and is constantly worried about how to put food on the table for his family.
However, due to the nature of his work as a malim gunung or mountain guide, he faces more hazards than most as he treks up and down Mount Kinabalu, guiding climbers to Malaysia's highest peak.
Apart from tightening his belt, the father of six has to make at least eight climbs a month to earn enough to support his family.
"It is a challenging job. But as a mountain guide, we have to bring climbers regardless of their age and body size.
"We are also exposed to extreme weather and work from morning till night.
"There have been times when climbers take up to 15 hours to ascend from Timpohon Gate (to Panalaban base), or 13 hours from Panalaban to the summit," said the 49-year-old, who has been a mountain guide for 15 years.
To make ends meet, Nizam supplements his income by becoming a porter for climbers.
"I have to be at the Kinabalu Park (where climbers gather and register before ascending) and hope there are many climbers who need a porter to carry their things," he said.
Nizam currently earns RM230 per guided trip and RM195 per 15 kg he carries each way.
However, some good news is coming his way.
From Jan 1, the rate for mountain guides will rise to RM350 from RM230.
The last rate hike for mountain guides was in 2015, following the deadly Ranau earthquake.
Nizam said the extra money would go a long way towards helping mountain guides.
"It's a timely move as the cost of living is really high now.
"Many guides have families to support."
Apart from revising the mountain guide fee, Sabah Parks is also doubling the price of the climbing permit for foreign adults to RM400, and children will be charged RM200 instead of the current RM80.
Malaysians will be charged RM100 (up from RM50) for adults and RM50 (from RM30) for children. This is the first rate hike in 20 years.
Sabah Parks, which announced the new rates recently, said the revision was being done to cope with the higher daily maintenance costs.
A total of 41,367 climbers have scaled Mount Kinabalu up to October this year.
