Orangutan Diplomacy Pact Strengthens Sabah’s Conservation Drive
KINABATANGAN, Sabah – A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under teh Orangutan Diplomacy Program was officially exchanged on Thursday, October 2nd, at the Sungai Pin conservation Area (SPnCA), bolstering Sabah’s commitment to wildlife conservation. the exchange took place between Plantation and Commodities ministry Secretary-General Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof and Sawit Kinabalu Managing Director Datuk Victor Ationg.
The MoU, originally signed between the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation (MPOGCF) and Borneo Samudera sdn Bhd (BSSB), a subsidiary of Sawit Kinabalu Group, aims to ensure orangutans can move freely within their natural habitat, minimizing disturbance from human activity, plantation operations, and tourism.
Datuk Yusran, who also chairs the MPOGCF Board of Trustees, emphasized the programme’s importance, stating, “This effort reflects Malaysia’s seriousness in safeguarding its wildlife while balancing sustainable advancement.” He also noted the MoU’s timely arrival following UNESCO’s recognition of kinabatangan as Malaysia’s newest Biosphere Reserve on September 27, 2025.
Sawit Kinabalu has dedicated 2,632 hectares within its Sungai Pin estate as a High Conservation Value (HCV) area, currently estimated to be home to around 55 orangutans. A collaborative population study with MPOGCF and NGO Hutan is underway to provide updated figures on Sabah’s overall orangutan population, currently estimated between 10,000 and 11,000.
To further support the Orangutan Diplomacy initiative, MPOGCF announced a special allocation of RM20,000. Datuk Yusran highlighted the broader benefits, adding, “This collaboration not only strengthens the conservation agenda but also enhances the credibility of Malaysia’s palm oil industry, which is committed to biodiversity protection.”
Datuk Victor Ationg described SPnCA as a “flagship initiative” demonstrating the potential for coexistence between oil palm development and biodiversity protection, community empowerment, and ecotourism. “SPnCA is a living testament to Sabah’s potential as a global model for sustainable palm oil landscapes,” he stated. He further emphasized that, “The Orangutan Diplomacy initiative carries a powerful message that when industry, government, and communities work together, we can protect wildlife such as the orangutan while also ensuring the wellbeing of people and the long-term sustainability of the industry.”
BSSB manages SPnCA through its Conservation and Biodiversity Unit (CBU) as part of Sawit Kinabalu’s overall sustainability agenda. The MoU will strengthen collaboration between industry and conservation bodies, reinforcing Sabah’s position as a leader in sustainable palm oil production. SPnCA operates under the SPnCA Conservation area Management Plan, showcasing Sawit Kinabalu’s long-term commitment to biodiversity.
Also in attendance were Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) Chief Executive Officer Belvinder Sron, SKG Green Chief Executive Officer Philipa Datuk Wilfred Mojilis, and MPOGCF General Manager Hairulazim Mahmud.
