Author: Julius Miajim of Forest Protection Department; Published Date: 11th May 2022
Sapulut’s communication and engagement practice involves visiting villages adjacent to the FMU area to discuss community-related agendas through the head village (Ketua Kampung) and JPKK (Jawatankuasa Pembangunan dan Keselamatan Kampung). The Sapulut’s Community Forestry Unit with the FMU team managed to build a channel to continue communication/consultation and came out with the plan to establish the Sapulut Social Forestry Consultative Committee (SSFCC).
On 12 April 2022, a meeting was held between stakeholders, including community representatives, community leaders, village heads and JPKK of around 28 villages. The meeting was held at the Native Court Hall located at Kg. Sinsingon and representatives from Native Court of Sapulut, Ketua Anak Negeri (KAN), Wakil Ketua Anak Negeri (WKAN), Wildlife Department Keningau.
As part of a multifaceted plan to forest relations with the communities surrounding the FMU area, Sapulut is committed to strengthening its engagement and communication mechanisms that show it to be more responsive.
The communication and engagement strategy should be based on the principles of representation, legitimacy, effectiveness, and efficiency. It should be the way to roll out any future community benefit-sharing.
In the short and medium-term, the objective is to ensure that communication channels between the company and the community are open and utilized. In the long run, the goal is to improve the communitiy relation of Sapulut and reduce social conflict.
Two-way communication between Sapulut and all stakeholders should be maintained to continue building an understanding of the company’s operation. Bringing all the community leaders for 28 villages to meetings and dialogues to offer everyone the opportunity to raise concerns and come to a common understanding about the company activities.
Sapulut, through the Community Forestry unit, will continue the consultation and engagement meetings with all stakeholders to foster good relations with the communities surrounding.