Deadly Malaysian Earthquake Caused by Tourists? Visitors Go Naked in Sacred Mountain

Sixteen lives were lost and two people are still missing following the magnitude 6.0 quake that struck Mt. Kinabalu on Friday, CNN previously reported.

Mt. Kinabalu is one of the tallest peaks in the South East Asian region, and one of Malaysia's top tourism draw -- a hit for both local and international visitors. The mountain is well-known for its picturesque granite peak formation and spectacular sunups.

Its popularity among tourists can also be imputed to the fact that Mt. Kinabalu offers a relatively easy climb that requires no prior experience in mountain climbing. There are no age restrictions for hikers, just as long as they are healthy and fit enough for the challenge according to mountkinabalu.com. It is suggested, however, that children be at least 10 years old.

The climb and descent from the mountain normally takes just two days and one night to complete.

The natural formation, which stands more than 4,000 meters above sea level, is also a great source of local myths and folklores. Sabah's largest ethnic group, the KadasanDunsun people, for instance, believes that Mt. Kinabalu is the sacred resting ground of their ancestors' spirits.

In this light, ten foreign tourists have drawn the ire of the local people for their seemingly "disrespectful" behavior during their climb. The group, which includes two Canadians, two Dutch individuals and a German, shot a naked photo for fun at the summit plateau, the MalayMailOnline reports.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan condemned the act of desecration and refer to it as the cause of the deadly quake. He is now calling for the perpetrators to appear before a native court for what he believes is an unlawful act committed against the local custom.

"Whether other people believe this or not, it's what we Sabahans believe. When the earthquake happened, it's like a confirmation of our beliefs. It is a sacred mountain and you cannot take it lightly," he said in a press conference at the Sabah Parks headquarters.

One Sabah Parks staff who goes by the name Alip Sampil also added that the local villagers, who consider the mountain sacred, were angered by the sacrilegious act.

Sampil said, "The worse part is that they were rude and disrespected the guide who told them not to do it." This appears to be in reference to an alleged incident where the ten tourists called one mountain guide "stupid," and told him to "go to hell" following reprimand.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said that the irreverent tourists won't be allowed to leave the country without being held accountable for their actions.

In their quest to quell the wrath of the mountain spirits, the locals plan to hold a traditional ceremony, as per Manjun.

The casualties include six students, together with one of their teachers and a tour guide, who are all part of a Singaporean delegation on a field trip. More than 130 people who scaled the mountain managed to flee from harm with the help of the locals, BBC News noted.