Latest news with #SawitKinabaluGroup
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Scientific workshop for conservation area in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU : In a significant step towards sustainable conservation, the Forest Research Centre of the Sabah Forestry Department, in partnership with Sawit Kinabalu Group's Conservation and Biodiversity Unit, convened the second scientific expedition workshop for the Sungai Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA). Held at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sandakan, the gathering perused findings from the expedition to Sungai Pin in September last year. The workshop was also a pioneering public-private initiative to elevate conservation standards in oil palm-managed landscapes. Over 100 stakeholders, including community representatives, NGOs and government agencies, collaboratively addressed key environmental challenges. One of the objectives was to formulate a roadmap for Green List certification under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) by 2028, a first for oil palm-associated conservation areas. The workshop also undertook a comparative analysis of the 2024 scientific findings against baseline data from 2019, revealing measurable ecological trends. It also integrated community perspectives from local stakeholders and conservation-linked NGOs, while developing a unified framework for biodiversity conservation and landscape management. The event was graced by Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning and Management) Indra Sunjoto, representing the department's Chief Conservator Datuk Frederick Kugan, alongside Sawit Kinabalu Group chief sustainability officer Nazlan Mohamad. The day's agenda included nine cutting-edge research presentations across three thematic sessions and interactive workshops generating actionable conservation strategies. Plenary discussions were also held, focusing on biodiversity monitoring protocols, threat reduction measures and multi-stakeholder collaboration models 'This workshop marks a transformative approach to conservation in agricultural landscapes,' said Indra Sunjoto. 'By aligning scientific rigour with community engagement, we're setting new benchmarks for sustainable land management.' The outcomes will support SPnCA's application for IUCN Green List status, making Malaysia's first oil palm company-led conservation area while meeting global standards for a protected area.
Borneo Post
01-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Scientific expedition workshop to propel Sungai Pin Conservation Area towards IUCN Green List goal
Indra Sunjoto (fourth right) and Nazlan Mohamad (third right) with other officials on stage during the opening ceremony of the workshop. KOTA KINABALU (July 1): The Forest Research Centre (FRC), under the Sabah Forestry Department, successfully co-organized the 'Bengkel Ekspedisi Saintifik Sg. Pin Conservation Area (SPnCA) Siri 2' on June 30 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok, Sandakan. The initiative is a public-private collaboration with the Conservation and Biodiversity Unit of the Sawit Kinabalu Group. It stems from a stakeholder engagement proposal following the recent SPnCA expedition held in September 2024. The workshop aimed to present key findings from the 2024 scientific expedition and ecosystem services assessment, in comparison with the findings five years ago from the first expedition; reflect on social and community insights, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) linked to the conservation area; forge a shared direction towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape management; and to support SPnCA's journey toward IUCN Green List recognition by 2028, a pioneering goal for an oil palm-managed conservation site. More than 100 participants, including community stakeholders, NGOs and government agencies, joined together to contribute their perspectives and expertise. The Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests (Planning & Management), Indra Sunjoto, represented the Chief Conservator of Forests, Datuk Frederick Kugan, to officiate the event. The Sawit Kinabalu Group was represented by its Chief Sustainability Officer, Nazlan Mohamad. The programme began with a project overview and featured nine research presentations across three thematic sessions in the morning. This was followed by interactive breakout discussions and a final plenary session to consolidate recommendations for future management, focusing on biodiversity monitoring, threat mitigation, and stakeholder collaboration. The outcomes of the workshop will support Sawit Kinabalu's commitment to the IUCN Green List and further drive SPnCA's ambition to become the first conservation site in Malaysia led by an oil palm company to meet international protected area standards. The Sabah Forestry Department remains a dedicated partner, working alongside the Sawit Kinabalu Group to align science, policy, and public engagement in advancing sustainable forest management and conservation leadership in Sabah.
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sawit Kinabalu tackles child labour through education and welfare programmes
KOTA KINABALU: Although Sawit Kinabalu's core business is palm oil production, the company places significant emphasis on protecting and nurturing the education and welfare of children living within and around its plantations. This commitment is demonstrated through a range of targeted programmes aimed at preventing child labour and promoting access to education. Sawit Kinabalu Group sustainability general manager Nazlan Mohamad said the state-owned company has established 28 Community Learning Centres (CLCs) across Sabah to address barriers to education among children of plantation workers. Six of them are located in Tawau, seven in Lahad Datu, six in Sandakan, four in Kudat, and five in Beaufort. "To ensure better access to education, Sawit Kinabalu builds and maintains CLCs within our estates, reducing travel difficulties and costs for families. "We also provide early childhood education centres and operate transportation services to safely shuttle children from workers' housing to nearby schools," Nazlan told the New Straits Times. These measures are designed not only to facilitate learning but also to prevent children from accompanying their parents to work sites, where they may be exposed to hazardous conditions. Beyond education, Sawit Kinabalu invests in health services, operating clinics within plantation areas that offer maternal and child healthcare, including vaccinations and routine check-ups, to support overall child development and well-being. The company also undertakes extensive awareness programmes targeting workers and their families, focusing on the risks of child labour, the importance of education for long-term personal and community development, and the legal repercussions of involving children in work. "We conduct parental training sessions to discourage the common practice of children 'helping out' on plantations, which often leads to them performing tasks beyond their capability and legal limits." To enhance monitoring and enforcement, Sawit Kinabalu has formed community monitoring groups comprising workers, local leaders and educators, who identify and report potential cases of child labour. The company also provides anonymous reporting channels to encourage confidential disclosures without fear of retaliation. In Sabah, there are approximately 2.1 million workers, including a significant number of non-resident employees. In 2023, there were 796,900 registered PBPs in Sabah, employed by 37,646 companies. Indonesians comprised the majority at 90.2 per cent, followed by Filipinos at 7.9 per cent, with smaller groups from Nepal and Cambodia. Agriculture, particularly oil palm plantations, is among Sabah's largest employment sectors, with around 591,800 workers. Of these, 58 per cent (roughly 344,700) are non-citizens, many of whom work in the oil palm industry. Children of non-resident employees typically face challenges accessing education due to insufficient documentation, affordability issues, and the distance from the nearest schools. Tuai Cerita is a fellowship designed to amplify the voices of Sabah's most vulnerable children. Through the power of storytelling and ethical journalism, the programme shines a light on child rights deprivations that contribute to child labour in and around oil palm plantations in Sabah. The programme is driven by local partners Anak and Global Shepherds, and implemented by Project Liber8. It is conducted in partnership with the European Union, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and Unicef.
Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan 2025-2029 handed over to Chief Minister
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji (centre) with Victor (third left) and Sawit Kinabalu Integrity and Governance Division team showing the OACP 2025-2029 book. Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor welcomed the Sawit Kinabalu Group's move to introduce the Organisational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) 2025-2029, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the culture of integrity and good governance at all levels of the organisation. 'I encourage all departments and government-linked companies (GLCs) to emulate such approach in reinforcing integrity values and enhancing public trust in government institutions,' he said after receiving the OACP from Sawit Kinabalu Group Managing Director cum Chief Executive Officer Datuk Victor Ationg at Menara Kinabalu, Thursday. Advertisement Hajiji, who is also the Chairman of Sawit Kinabalu, said the OACP is an initiative to create efficient, credible and corruption-free administration. He said the implementation of the OACP should not merely fulfil policy requirements, but it should become a norm in the work culture of GLCs and government agencies. Victor was accompanied by Sawit Kinabalu Group's Integrity and Governance Division team. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Hajiji applauds Sawit Kinabalu's anti-corruption plan
KOTA KINABALU (May 15): Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor welcomed the Sawit Kinabalu Group's move to introduce the Organizational Anti-Corruption Plan (OACP) 2025-2029, a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the culture of integrity and good governance at all levels of the organization. 'I encourage all departments and government-linked companies (GLCs) to emulate such approach in reinforcing integrity values and enhancing public trust in government institutions,' he stated. He added that the OACP is an initiative to create efficient, credible and corruption-free administration. Hajiji, who is also the chairman of Sawit Kinabalu, said the implementation of the OACP should not merely fulfill policy requirements, but it should become a norm in the work culture of GLCs and government agencies. The Chief Minister said this after receiving the OACP from Sawit Kinabalu Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Victor Ationg at the Menera Kinabalu here today. Accompanying Victor during the courtesy visit to the Chief Minister was Sawit Kinabalu Group's Integrity and Governance Division team.
