Call to protect customary land and herbal heritage at Tuaran village
KOTA KINABALU (July 25): Urgent action is needed to protect a vital piece of Sabah's cultural and ecological heritage — the customary land in Kampung Lumawang, Tuaran, which houses Malaysia's first Customary School (SAANS) and a valuable herbal plant conservation site.
Sabah Indigenous Peoples' Association (Sunduan Nabalu) president Shalmon Sanangan said the site is not only a centre of indigenous knowledge but is also slated for inclusion in the Unesco Good Safeguarding Practices, with a scheduled Unesco visit in November.
However, he warned that the land is under serious threat due to ongoing development, which has already reduced Kampung Lumawang's customary land from over 150 acres to just ten acres.
Shalmon Sanangan
Shalmon, who also sits on the National Customary Heritage Expert Committee, said:
'This land is more than just soil — it is the heart of our efforts to preserve botanical treasures and irreplaceable traditional knowledge. The loss of this site would also mean the collapse of our unique Customary School model.'
The area currently serves as the only teacher training hub for SAANS in Sabah, with 26 principals already trained and stationed across the state. The programme also plays a key role in conserving endangered native languages and indigenous knowledge systems.
The historical significance of the site stretches back to pre-Japanese era settlements, serving as a traditional transport base during the British era. An oath stone still stands in the area, symbolising its undeniable status as indigenous customary land.
Several local and international institutions have recognised the site's importance, including Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) — through its Native Customary School Living Lab — UiTM, the International University of Nagasaki, Japan, and the Sabah Biodiversity Centre (SaBC). SaBC is currently considering the site as part of its expansion plans for the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark to Tuaran.
Shalmon added that losing the site would also undermine Sabah's efforts to earn the prestigious 'Triple Crown of Borneo' recognition, which encompasses ecological, cultural, and geological excellence.
'We urge the state government to act immediately to protect the remaining ten acres of customary land for future generations,' he stressed.
Issuing a stern warning, Shalmon declared:
'If developers continue to destroy the herbs and sacred land here, I will escalate this matter to the Prime Minister and, if needed, to His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.'
He concluded that the ongoing destruction represents a tragedy threatening Sabah's rich cultural, historical and ecological legacy — one that all stakeholders must act swiftly to preserve.
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