KOTA KINABALU: The last stretch of Sandakan’s iconic Rainforest Skywalk is finally ready, marking the completion of the walkway that began almost 20 years ago.

       The canopy walkway, which is now 620m long after the completion of its final extension of 250m, would benefit visitors, bird watchers as well as researchers at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok.

       It traverses the tall jungle trees some 25m off the ground, said state Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Frederick Kugan.

       “Together with a well-maintained network of forest trails, it serves as a key amenity that can draw birders from all over to Sepilok. It is also not unusual to see orang utan along the skywalk, particularly during the fruiting season,” Kugan added.

       Another popular wildlife sightseeing activity along the skywalk is watching flying squirrels at dusk, he said.

       Kugan said the entirely metal structure is one of the main attractions at the RDC, an environmental education facility run by the Sabah Forestry Department.

       The construction of the walkway began during the 8th Malaysia Plan in 2003 with the building of two towers.

       Due to funding constraints, construction was carried out over five phases, with the initial funds coming largely from the Federal Government.

       The last stretch of this project, which is the 250m extension skywalk costing RM4mil, is funded by the state government under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

       Kugan said that in total, about RM13mil had been spent for its entire construction.

       With the completion of this skywalk, he hoped that the Borneo Bird Festival, which had in the past attracted hordes of enthusiasts to Sandakan, would make a strong comeback in October.

       “The festival was not held in the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so we hope to see it returning strongly this year,” Kugan said.