Borneo Rainforest Lodge Triumphs at Sabah Tourism Awards 2025
- nabalunews
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
11 February 2026
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo Rainforest Lodge (BRL) emerged as one of the standout winners at the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Awards 2025, securing three golds, one silver and one bronze across multiple categories.
The Yayasan Sabah Group of Companies subsidiary was awarded gold in the Sabah Best Practice in Tourism Award (Accommodation), Sabah Best Practice in Tourism Award (Tourism Product), and Sabah Tourism Champion Leadership Award (Organisation). It also won silver in the Sabah Tourism Champion Sustainability Award and bronze in the Sabah Tourism Champion Leadership Award (Individual).
BRL Chief Executive Officer Freddie Coleman highlighted that the lodge, located within the Danum Valley conservation area, was constructed under strict environmental guidelines. The lodge’s walls were pre-fabricated in Lahad Datu before being transported to the site for final assembly, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding rainforest.
“The lodge has undergone several transformations to improve its environmental practices, focusing on durable and sustainable materials,” said Coleman. “We continue to integrate sustainability into our operations alongside existing measures such as sustainable architecture, waste management, and energy and water conservation.”
Among its green initiatives, BRL introduced effective microorganism mudballs following consultation with a specialist, a practice now well recognised as part of the lodge’s environmental efforts. The lodge also runs corporate social responsibility programmes in local schools and has established a heritage troupe trained by the Dusun Subpan Segama Cultural Association of Lahad Datu, aiming to increase local procurement and reduce its carbon footprint.
Coleman also praised Abdul Sail Jamaludin, BRL’s Chief Operating Officer, for winning bronze in the Sabah Tourism Champion Leadership Award (Individual). The accolade honours individuals whose leadership and dedication significantly impact Sabah’s social, economic, cultural or environmental well-being.
Sail, with three decades of experience managing the lodge, was lauded for transforming a small team of 10 to 15 staff into a workforce exceeding 100 employees across various departments. He credited the lodge’s growth to the enduring spirit of hospitality and the personal touch that has remained central since its inception.
The awards ceremony was officiated by Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin at a resort, with the presence of Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Tourism Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Josie Lai, and STB Chief Executive Officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit.
