SANDAKAN: Following her participation in the annual Sandakan Day Memorial on 15 August, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke, visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok.
Accompanied by her delegation, the High Commissioner first toured Sandakan Heritage Trail in town before arriving at the RDC. She was welcomed by Dr. Arthur Chung, Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Research and Development) for the Sabah Forestry Department, which manages the RDC.
During her half-hour visit, High Commissioner Heinecke received a briefing on the RDC’s role as Sabah’s premier centre for environmental education and forest recreation.
The delegation experienced the centre’s renowned features, including the 620-meter rainforest canopy skywalk, the longest in Sabah, the majestic ‘Mengaris’ tree (Koompassia excelsa), or wild honeybee tree, located along the skywalk and the suspension bridge at the RDC Lake, reminiscent of traditional Sabahan river crossings.
A poignant historical connection was highlighted: A giant Mengaris tree, known as ‘The Big Tree,’ stands at the Sandakan Memorial Park site – a former POW camp. This very species served as a symbol of hope and strength for the imprisoned soldiers during World War II.
High Commissioner Heinecke commended the Sabah Forestry Department for developing and maintaining the RDC facilities, which enable both tourists and the public to appreciate rainforest beauty and promote vital environmental awareness.
Looking ahead, RDC Sepilok will host two major events, the Sepilok Jazz Festival on 5-6 September 2025 and the 15th Borneo Bird Festival on 25-26 October 2025. – James Leong
