SIALI ANAK ABAN¹

The new Park Maintenance System was introduced to all protected areas in Sarawak including in mid-2000. The system is designed to be more practical and proactive, to achieve high quality standards of maintenance (Desmond and Siali, 2000b). The system is monitored by the Park Maintenance Auditing Team (PMAT), which performs regular auditing on the system’s progress.

Gunung Gading National Park has established the mandatory Park Maintenance Unit and uses the standard Park Maintenance Handbook (Desmond and Siali, 2000a) in performing maintenance work in the park. The maintenance unit, headed by an Assistant Park Warden, comprises general skilled staff, mostly dealing with housekeeping, simple mechanical and electrical services, carpentry work and repairs, general compound and trail maintenance, and up-keep of stores and equipment. The total staff of the park consists of the Warden, two rangers and thirteen workers.

Most maintenance staff of Gading have attended maintenance briefings and workshops organised and facilitated by PMAT prior to the implementation of the new system and were each given a copy of the standard Park Maintenance Handbook for day-to-day reference.

This research paper discusses and assesses the implementation, effectiveness and practicality of the present Park Maintenance System at Gunung Gading National Park.

This three-day qualitative research used ground observations and informal interviews with the park maintenance staff. The methodology includes reviewing the past maintenance reports submitted by the park to the NPWD head office.

Understanding of System and Manuals
A discussion session with the Maintenance Unit was held at the park office, attended by thirteen maintenance staff members including the Park Warden and his two Deputies. Most staff members reported that they were aware of the present maintenance system flow and the main function of the Maintenance Unit in the overall park organisation. One staff said that he could only understand about 70% of the contents in the Maintenance Handbook. The Warden also said that he had given detailed briefings to all his staff members regarding the implementation of the Maintenance Handbook and reported that most members indicated their understanding on that particular session.

Compliance to Manuals
In Housekeeping, the park has produced the relevant housekeeping inspection cards for daily use at all visitor accommodation and public toilets. Upon spot-checking, the sole housekeeping staff does not have a complete housekeeping kit, lacking safety wear and uniform. She does not fully understand the housekeeping inspection cards which are written in English.

For Buildings and Other Related Facilities, the park has put demarcation tags along trails and boardwalks for routine inspection purposes. Relevant forms for the Full Maintenance Inspection Report were produced. It was found that schedules for routine inspection of each facility had not been drawn up.

In accordance with the Mechanical and Electrical Services Manual, the park used the standard maintenance cards issued by PMAT for all maintenance records of all the machines and electrical appliances. It was observed that most machine operators did not carry out proper daily and weekly preventive maintenance. Most operators did not wear full safety wear while using the equipment.

The park used the work order cards as required in the Work Order System Manual. It was reported that cards were not returned promptly upon completion of tasks. The card system is not used as prescribed.

Monthly Maintenance Report
The park did not use the standard format of monthly maintenance reporting suggested by PMAT. Instead, maintenance is reported on in the park’s monthly progress report.

PMAT Auditing
During the study, it was reported that PMAT auditing had not been done for the past three months.

Maintenance Funding
The Warden reported that he frequently encountered unavailability of maintenance funds at NPWD head-office in Kuching.

Maintenance Work Difficulties
The Warden also reported that the designs of some of the park facilities make maintenance work impractical due to difficulties in reaching some sections of high buildings, ceilings and roofing. Lack of skills and specified maintenance tools and equipment leads to maintenance backlogs. Some maintenance materials are not readily available in the local market.

Effectiveness and Appraisal of System
The present maintenance system is not fully implemented at Gunung Gading National Park. Only about 80% of the maintenance staff understand the system and manuals and about 70% of the system is practised effectively.

The Maintenance Unit at Gunung Gading National Park must have an adequate number of skilled and competent staff for maintenance. A full time Maintenance Officer must be engaged to head the Unit so that routine inspections, reporting and action can be implemented and monitored effectively. One staff for cleaning and laundry is not adequate.

The present maintenance manuals have to be reviewed and revised for better understanding of all maintenance staff. The handbook has to be simplified and made more attractive. Maintenance cards and forms used in the park must be in dual languages. Relevant training and courses will motivate the maintenance staff to perform their work with confidence and pride in their work.

Maintenance administration in the park must be improved with proper recording and filing. Detailed Monthly Maintenance Reports are essential for effective action and follow-up action. PMAT auditing visits must also be on schedule.

Future proposals for park buildings must consider the practicality of future maintenance. This is important in ensuring that all maintenance work can be carried out easily and without undue expense.

Desmond and Siali (2000a) Park Maintenance Handbook. Unpublished. National Parks and Wildlife Office, Sarawak Forest Department, Kuching.

Desmond and Siali (2000b) Park Maintenance System – A Proactive and Practical Approach. Hornbill 4:71 . National Parks and Wildlife Office, Sarawak Forest Department, Kuching.