Building Trust Through Sapulut Community Programs

Author: Jessica Salapan; Published Date: 2nd January 2025

Building understanding and mutual trust with local communities is a main objective of implementing Community Engagement and Development activities that involve participation from Sapulut’s stakeholders. The local community, which includes vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, and youth, as well as Native Chiefs and Representatives (KAN/WKAN), Community Leaders (KK and JPKK), and communities living near the FMU area (defined as Sapulut’s external stakeholders), has been regularly engaged by the Company’s Community Forestry unit.

The Community Engagement plan includes 31 villages adjacent to the Sapulut FMU, and involves activities such as social monitoring, village meetings, briefings and awareness programs, participatory mapping, and community development programs, all of which have been implemented throughout 2024.

The Community Forestry (CF) unit in SFDSB works to address the needs of local communities by providing requested assistance while balancing these needs with the company’s capabilities. For the year 2024, SFDSB has provided two water tanks to Kg Tonomon A and contributed 50 plastic chairs for the communities in Kg Saliku, Kg Salangon, and Kg Pulutan.

Additionally, this program encourages the community to preserve their customs by creating handicrafts for festivals and weddings, symbolizing their ethnic traditions. It also raises awareness of cultural heritage and helps pass down skills to the younger generations.

SFDSB has been invited by the MAJORA Education Foundation to give a briefing on the management of the Forest Reserve on August 23, 2024, at SMK Sapulut. SFDSB also conducted a briefing session on seedling propagation and plant care techniques to the students. After the briefing session, student was constructed to do a practical on how to sow the seeds and plants provided by SFDSB.

Through this program, SFDSB aims to raise awareness among students about the importance of conserving the Forest Reserve, particularly in terms of preserving it for the benefit of future generations and ensuring its long-term sustainability.

In conjunction of MAJORA’s previous programme, MAJORA had organized an educational study trip to SFDSB on November 29th which involving group of 40 students from SMK Sapulut accompanied by their teachers and MAJORA members. The event aimed to inspire and motivate students to pursue successful careers through a career talk presented by SFDSB’s officers.

During the visits, the students had the opportunity to hear a talk from Adcihllyine Jambre, who shared insights about the work done in the Forest Protection Division, focusing on wildlife and conservation. They learned about the wildlife present in Sapulut and the area’s conservation efforts. To capture their interest, an engaging wildlife monitoring video was also shown.

In another session, the students visited the nursery area led by Joruni Ambus, the Head of the Nursery Unit. Here, they participated in hands-on training to learn planting techniques, gaining valuable practical experience.

The Community Unit of SFDSB plays a vital role in ensuring neighboring communities are well-informed and understand the company’s operations, particularly in managing the forest reserve. SFDSB has been granted Sustainable Forest Certification under the Malaysian Criteria and Indicators (MC&I) system. This certification is significant because it recognizes the company’s commitment to sustainable forest management. Communities were informed that SFDSB implement its operation according to the terms and condition in SFMLA 04/97 and by adhering principle under the MC&I which were designed to guide companies towards responsible forest management such as applying the Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) method to minimize the damage on environment. The principle adheres covering environmental, social and safety aspect.

SFDSB also informed the communities regarding other certification which SFDSB has to undergoes audit from Sabah Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) and Kiwiheng Environmental Consultant Sdn Bhd. We also briefed them about the legistlation to be followed in managing the Forest reserve such as the Wildlife Conservation Enactment, Forestry Enactment, Environmental Quality Act 1974, Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) Act and many more.

SFDSB regularly informs local communities about its certifications, audits, and legal compliance to ensure transparency. By involving communities in discussions about sustainable forest management, SFDSB helps to promote awareness of the importance of forest conservation, wildlife protection, and sustainable timber harvesting.

SFDSB has also provided guidance to the community on the use of grievance forms. These forms allow the community to submit complaints, concerns, or suggestions to the company.

SFDSB has conducted Social Monitoring across all villages identified as stakeholders. This activity allows SFDSB to plan the mitigation measures in response to any community concerns raised during the engagement

On 29 November 2024, a participatory mapping session was conducted with the community from Kg. Balantos to identify their water catchment area, located 500 meters from the boundary of SFDSB. The community expressed concerns about the potential impact of forest operations on the water catchment. As a result, both the community and the company collaborated to develop a strategic approach aimed at preserving and protecting the water catchment area.