The Chief Minister of Sabah, YAB Datuk Yong Teck Lee made a day visit to Sukau Rainforest Lodge in November 1996. He was briefed by officers of the Wildlife Department and World Wide Fund for Nature on the latest developments on the proposed gazettement of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary by the government. Survey works on the boundaries of the 40,000 hectares sanctuary have been completed. The Sanctuary is expected to be gazetted in 1997.
During the inspection visit, the Chief Minister was also briefed by the General Manager of Borneo Eco Tours, Baton Bijamin on the green policies and evironmental projects carried out by the company. The Chief Minister took the opportunity to pilot his own boat to try out the electric motor during the afternoon river cruise to Menanggul River to observe proboscis monkeys.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge which opened in May 1995 saw its visitor arrival rose to 1,844 in 1996. Sukau is one of the best places to spot all ten primates of Borneo namely Borneon Gibbon, Hose langur, long-tailed macaque, Orang utan, Pig-tailed macaque, Proboscis monkey, red leaf langur, silver langur, slow loris and tarsier.
