KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has released over 16,000ha of land from the former concession of the now-defunct Sabah Forest Industries Sdn Bhd (SFI) to be gazetted as village reserves.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai told the state assembly on Wednesday (April 29) that the aim was to provide long-term benefit for rural communities in the area.
"A total of 15,978ha (39,482) acres within the Class II Sipitang Forest Reserve were excised last year.
"This followed an earlier excision of 44ha (108.72 acres) in 2023. Together, the total land released amounts to 16,022ha (39,590 acres)," he told Yusri Pungut (Warisan-Sindumin).
Joniston said the decision was made after careful study by the Sabah Forestry Department and engagement with community leaders, village heads and residents.
"Several areas of forest reserve were degazetted specifically to ensure that villagers could benefit from secure land tenure and future development opportunities.
"This excision reflects the government’s commitment to balance conservation with community needs, ensuring that rural populations have access to land for housing, livelihoods and village expansion," Joniston said.
To a supplementary question on whether the state would allow former SFI workers living in the company staff housing area to stay there, Joniston responded that the state was looking into it as it cared for the people's welfare.
To a question by Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) on the state’s position regarding the large tracts of timber land still within the former SFI concession, Joniston said the matter was being looked into.
