16 SABAH
@ green | July-August. 2025
Save rare Bornean banteng
Jentayu hydro project on track
� Only about 325 Bornean banteng remain in the wild, threatened by illegal hunting and snares.
SABAH is intensifying efforts to safeguard the critically endangered Bornean banteng, with illegal hunting and snare traps continuing to pose serious threats to the estimated 325 animals left in the wild.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, in a speech delivered by Deputy Permanent Secretary Mary Malangking at Sabah’ s first Banteng Day Celebration in Tungku Lahad Datu, emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration to protect the species.
She highlighted the State’ s participation in the Global Wildlife Programme Malaysia as part of a broader commitment to conservation.
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme( UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility( GEF) with US $ 1.5 million( RM6.34 million) from 2025 to 2028, focuses on conserving banteng populations in the Greater Maliau Basin.
� Sabah joins the Global Wildlife Programme Malaysia, backed by US $ 1.5 million in funding from 2025 – 2028.
Plans include regular population monitoring, enhanced patrols, the use of remote sensing technologies, and community-based conservation and sustainable livelihood schemes in the Greater Maliau Basin – Sapulut area.
Liew also revealed the ministry’ s intention to seek recognition for Banteng Day from the International Union for Conservation of Nature( IUCN). The inaugural celebration marked the beginning of this effort, uniting stakeholders in a shared
� New strategies and a field manual aim to boost monitoring, data collection, and community involvement.
mission.
Sabah Wildlife Department Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar emphasised that, although the banteng may be lesser known, it plays a vital ecological role. Public awareness, he said, is essential to its survival.
Dr Robecca Jumin, Head of Conservation for WWF-Malaysia( Sabah), described the banteng as a symbol of Sabah’ s biodiversity, adding that its protection depends on close collaboration between government agencies, conservation groups, and local communities.
The event saw the launch of two key conservation resources: the Mid- Term Review of the Sabah Banteng Conservation Action Plan, which updates strategies to address new threats, and a field manual titled‘ Identification, Age Classification and Profiling Methods’, designed to improve monitoring and data collection for the species.
Through these combined efforts, Sabah is reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that the banteng- a quiet yet crucial part of the State’ s natural heritage- has a fighting chance for survival.
JENTAYU Sustainables Bhd has confirmed that its 162-megawatt run-of-river hydroelectric project at Hulu Sungai Padas, Sipitang, Sabah, remains on schedule despite the withdrawal of its partner, Sumitomo Corporation.
The collaboration between the two companies formalised in October 2024 through a project development collaboration agreement( PDCA), has been terminated alongside a memorandum of understanding( MoU) signed two years ago for renewable energy cooperation.
Jentayu’ s 70 per cent-owned subsidiary, Oriole Hydro Padas Sdn Bhd, is spearheading the RM2.8 billion development, backed by a 40-year power purchase agreement with Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd.
The company stated that“ Project Oriole” continues to progress in line with the agreement’ s terms and that no operational disruption is expected from the termination of the MoU and PDCA.
To fund the project, Maybank Investment Bank Bhd was appointed in September to lead the equity fundraising efforts, while Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Bhd and MBSB Bank Bhd serve as lead arrangers for the senior debt financing.- @ green
Sabah launches large-scale solar project
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SABAH has taken a significant step towards a greener and more resilient energy future with the launch of the Tawau Q-Solar Large-Scale Solar( LSS) project, which is set to generate 15 megawatts( MWac) of renewable power by late 2026.
The development, spanning over 45 acres in Jalan Timur, Kubota, is the result of a strategic partnership among Qhazanah Sabah Berhad( QSB), Qhazanah Energy Sdn Bhd( QESB), and QSolar Tawau Sdn Bhd.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in a speech delivered by Assistant Minister Datuk Haji Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan at the groundbreaking
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ceremony, said the project would serve as both a stabilising force for energy supply in eastern Sabah and a cornerstone of the State’ s renewable energy ambitions.
The project is expected to play a vital role in stabilising Sabah’ s grid system, which remains heavily dependent on diesel and natural gas.
By generating clean solar energy, it will help reduce fuel reliance, balance electricity distribution between the East and West Coasts, and strengthen the grid’ s overall capacity.
Hajiji noted that the initiative aligns with the Sabah Energy Roadmap
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and Master Plan( SERAMP), the State’ s long-term strategy for transforming its energy sector.
Beyond environmental gains, the project is poised to deliver economic benefits, including job creation, investment opportunities, and skill development for the local community.
The construction, operation, and maintenance phases will employ local contractors and suppliers. At the same time, targeted training programmes will equip young people with the skills needed to manage and maintain the solar facility.
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Solar Briefing: Datuk Haji Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan is briefed on the Q-Solar project after officiating its groundbreaking. |