Kota Kinabalu: Sabah forests’ ecological protection and sustainable management are a strategic imperative, not merely regulatory compliance, urged Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
He emphasised that Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) is more than regulatory framework, as it is strategically imperative to the wellbeing of the forests, which regulate climate, safeguard watersheds, protect biodiversity and support community livelihood.
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“Through its collaboration with Preferred by Nature, Yayasan Sabah Group has consistently aligned with international benchmarks for responsible forest stewardship.
“This includes strengthening forest certification processes, refining management plans, improving monitoring systems, and building internal technical capacity,” he said during the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Yayasan Sabah Group and Preferred by Nature, and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Sabah Branch.
He added that restoration initiatives within buffer zones and conservation areas further reflect an integrated landscape approach, recognising that ecological connectivity, restoration corridors and responsible land-use planning all contribute to long-term biodiversity resilience.
“By investing in ecological restoration, whether in degraded rainforest zones or coastal conservation areas, Sabah demonstrates that development and conservation are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they must be harmonised within a coherent sustainability framework,” he said.
Meanwhile, Yayasan Sabah Group also seeks to establish an Avian Centre of Excellence at the Maliau Basin Conservation Area, in collaboration with the MNS Sabah Branch under their five-year MoU.
Joniston explained that the Maliau Basin’s ecological integrity made it an ideal site for advanced avian research, monitoring and conservation.
“Under this MoU, MNS Sabah will provide access to its network of ornithologists, conservation biologists, and researchers. It will share research data, support conservation planning, develop educational materials, and facilitate structured training programmes for Yayasan Sabah staff.
“Collaboration will also include co-organisation of scientific symposia, conferences, bird-awareness initiatives, and public engagement activities,” he said.
He added that the Avian Centre of Excellence aims to digitalise biodiversity conservation, ensuring that Sabah’s biodiversity is not only protected in the field but documented, analysed and shared within global scientific networks.
When it came to conservation and tourism, Joniston emphasised that they are deeply interconnected, as well-managed conservation areas enhance the State’s reputation as a premium ecotourism destination.
“Birding tourism, in particular, represents a high-value, low-impact niche market with significant growth potential. By developing Maliau Basin as a premier birding destination supported by rigorous scientific research, Sabah strengthens its tourism diversification strategy while maintaining ecological integrity,” he added.
However, he stressed that tourism development must remain responsible, controlled and aligne with carrying capacity assessments.
“Equally important is community engagement. Conservation must deliver tangible benefits to local communities through employment opportunities, training programmes, guiding services, and knowledge exchange. Sustainable conservation is strongest when it is inclusive,” he said.
Joniston explained that both partnerships aim to mobilise funding form national and international sources, which require strong institutional frameworks, transparent governance and credible partnerships to be properly implemented.
“The structured collaborations formalised today enhance Sabah’s eligibility and competitiveness in accessing such funding streams. International partners seek reliability, accountability, and demonstrated commitment. These MoUs provide exactly that,” he added.
Joniston reiterated that Sabah continues to strengthen its position as a regional leader in environmental stewardship through science-based conservation, sustainable forest governance, ecological restoration, digital documentation and inclusive community engagement.
“The decisions we make today will determine whether our forests remain resilient, whether endangered species recover, and whether future generations inherit ecosystems that are intact and thriving,” he concluded.
