Sabah Sets the Pace in Conservation and Eco-Tourism Innovation

4 March 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah must reinforce its position as a pioneer in conservation, transforming its forests and biodiversity into vibrant centres for research, education, and sustainable tourism, said Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

He highlighted that Sabah is at the forefront of conservation in Malaysia, having designated over 30 per Cent , or 2.227 million Hectares , of its land as Totally Protected Areas (TPAs), exceeding the international target of 17 per cent.

Joniston also noted that Sabah was the first Malaysian state to adopt Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards for sustainable forest management.

"International travellers are becoming more discerning in their choice of destinations, and our focus on flora and fauna conservation positions Sabah strongly to elevate its status as a premium destination that combines protection with purpose.

"It also enables Sabah to leverage these protected assets effectively, particularly by promoting niche, high-value tourism experiences within conservation areas,” he said, emphasising the potential of Maliau Basin, often called the Lost World of Borneo.

Joniston, who is also chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, made these remarks during the signing of two strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at advancing conservation, research, and community engagement initiatives.

The first MoU formalises the continuation of a long-standing partnership between Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG) and Preferred by Nature (PnB), which began in 1999.

Over the years, this collaboration has grown from technical advisory support into structured conservation management and active restoration projects.

The second MoU, between YSG and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Sabah Branch, will establish an Avian Centre of Excellence at the Maliau Basin Conservation Area.

This initiative aims to bolster bird research, monitoring, and conservation, while nurturing local expertise in these vital fields.

The Avian Centre will digitally document Sabah’s bird species, allowing scientists nationwide and globally to study and learn from them, while also supporting community engagement and educational programmes.

Representing YSG at the signing was its Director, Datuk Sri Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar; PnB was represented by its Executive Director, Peter Feilberg; and MNS by its President, Anna Wong.

“Birdwatching tourism, in particular, is a high-value, low-impact activity that promotes growth without damaging our natural heritage.

"Engaging local communities ensures they benefit through employment, training, and knowledge-sharing,” added Joniston.

He also stated that these partnerships enhance Sabah’s credibility and governance, making it easier to secure national and international funding for conservation, climate action, and biodiversity initiatives.