KOTA KINABALU: Borneo’s indigenous cultures hold immense wisdom, especially in traditional knowledge and sustainable environmental practices, offering the world valuable lessons, says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
The Deputy Chief Minister said these practices, which have been used for generations and remain relevant even now but face extinction especially since the younger generations were increasingly detached from their indigenous heritage due to the dominance of digital media.
Speaking at the 15th International Borneo Research Council Conference on Tuesday (Jan 21), he highlighted the importance of preserving these traditions, using the Kadazandusun’s wet rice agriculture in Tambunan as an example.
“There are said to be 37 traditional rice varieties from Tambunan. These are hardy, pest-resistant, and yield bountiful harvests from a single planting per-year. Unlike introduced varieties that require two harvests, traditional rice does not depend on pesticides or artificial fertilisers,” he said.
Kitingan recalled how the rice grains stored in traditional granaries could last up to 20 years and remain edible.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister also explained how water buffaloes played a crucial role in traditional wet rice cultivation by ploughing and naturally fertilising the fields.
However, the decline in the buffalo population due to disease outbreaks has forced many farmers to turn to mechanised methods, though they continue to favour traditional rice over lower-yielding modern varieties.
Beyond agriculture, Kitingan pointed to the indigenous system of river conservation known as tagal or bombon, practised by various ethnic groups in Sabah, where these designated no-fishing zones protect fish spawning grounds and are managed by village committees.
Some areas allow fishing only once every two years, ensuring sustainability.
“The Sabah government adopted this system in 2003, and it has been widely promoted. However, some bombon and tagal sites have been damaged by outsiders, particularly tourists. Greater collaboration between local communities and eco-tour operators is necessary to safeguard these sites,” he said.
He also noted that similar conservation systems exist in Sarawak and Kalimantan, such as the Iban’s tagang and the Bidayuh’s tegang systems.
Beyond environmental practices, Kitingan highlighted the shared cultural heritage of Borneo, particularly the use of megaliths.
“Among the Kadazandusun and Kuijau Dusun communities, large stone markers were traditionally erected for various purposes, including boundary demarcations, memorials, and peace-making after conflicts.
“Unlike the egalitarian societies of Sabah, the hierarchical Kelabitic and Lundayeh societies in Kalimantan and Sarawak built dolmens for high-status burials. Research on these ancient structures continues, with institutions like UMS and IDS Sabah playing key roles in their study,” he said.
Kitingan also raised concerns over the decline of traditional knowledge among younger generations, as digital media increasingly replaces oral storytelling and heritage-based learning.
He called for renewed efforts to ensure that indigenous wisdom, particularly in sustainable agriculture and river conservation, is preserved and passed on.
Another pressing issue, he noted, is the continued struggle for the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Despite forming Malaysia in 1963 under specific constitutional safeguards, key promises, such as the return of 40% of net federal revenues derived from Sabah, remain unfulfilled.
“This issue affects the future of Sabah and Sarawak. I hope discussions at this conference will help address these challenges and pave the way for meaningful resolutions,” he said.
