malaysiandigest.com (28/10/2017) - KOTA KINABALU: State oil palm investment arm Sawit Kinabalu Sdn Bhd is allocating 2,500 hectares of its Sungai Pin estate in Kinabatangan to be used as a conservation area.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the state Forestry Department during the recent Heart of Borneo (HoB) international conference here.

Sawit Kinabalu was represented by group managing director Datuk Othman Walat, and the Forestry Department by its chief conservator of forests, Datuk Sam Mannan.

The company owned 67,709ha of oil palm plantation in the state.

“We (oil palm companies) are always criticised for killing wildlife. So, it has become a necessity to support conservation.

“The signing of this MoU will boost Sawit Kinabalu’s efforts in conservation as part of its sustainable development programme. We had started our efforts in Sungai Pin estate since 2003, with 1,260 hectares (initially) set aside for the purpose.

“That has shown encouraging results with more than 50,000 trees planted from 2003 to this year,” said Othman.

He said based on recent studies, the area in the MoU had high conservation value due to the abundance of flora and fauna, including endangered species.

“We hope this initiative will be a major contribution in connecting the wildlife sanctuaries within Lower Kinabatangan through wildlife corridors.

“At the same time, it is part of the company’s bigger plan in obtaining certification from certifying bodies on sustainability.

“We hope it will promote a positive image, and hence, a preferred brand of oil to the international community as a sustainable business beyond reproach.”