E-BARIO KNOWLEDGE FAIR Balai Raya, Bario November 2011 A Voice For The People In The Heart of Borneo: FORMADAT By: Gerawat Gala President, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak

The People in HoB Kayan Kenyah Kelabit Lun Bawang Lun Dayeh Penan Saban

Heart of Borneo Heart of Borneo (HoB) Declaration signed by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei in February 2007 ©WWF-Malaysia (May 2009)

FORMADAT BORNEO Forum Masyarakat Adat Dataran Tinggi Borneo (Forum of Indigenous People of the Highlands of Borneo/Heart of Borneo) Trans-boundary (S’wak, Sabah & Kalimantan Borneo) Netwrok and alliance to communicate and excahnge information/experience to ensure sustainable dev’t suitable to the needs of the indigenous people in the Borneo Highlands Inspired by Inter-Gov’t. (M’sia, Brunei & Indonesia) declaration on the HoB in Bali in 2007 and subsequently UNDRIP.

FORMADAT’s Objective Increasing Awareness and Understanding about the Communities in the HoB Maintaining Cultural Traditions and Linkages Building Local Capacity and Awareness of Socio Economic opportunities Encouraging Sustainable Development in HoB Engaging with host gov’ts and like minded organisations

FORMADAT: HoB and The People Kelabit Highlands, Maligan Highlands ( Sarawak), Ulu Padas (Sabah) and Krayan region (Kalimantan Borneo) Area >100 meters ASL and relatively isolated Main ethnic groups : Lun Dayeh, Lun Bawang, Kelabit, Sa’ban numbering approx. 75,000 Culturally, linguistically and economically closely related Predominantly Christians Mainly Farmers ( increasing nos in public and private sector) Reliance on Gov’t for infrastructure, basic amenities and development Highland Agropolitan Dev’t for Maligan and Kelabit Highlands endorsed by the Sarawak Gov’t. Awareness of economic value of natural resources in HoB Growing interest in trans boundary co-operation.

FORMADAT: History 19 Sept 2003 Workshop on Sustainable Agri. Dev’t. in Ba Kelalan, S’wak organised by SDI Oct 2004 Formation of FORMADAT comprising Lun Dayeh, Kelabit, Lun Bawang, Sa’ban communities within HoB 2005 FORMADAT Meeting in Lg Bawan to review progress and agree specific targets Nov FORMADAT Meeting in Bario adopted Vision and Mission Statements for FORMADAT Community Dialogue before Survey

FORMADAT’s Vision “ We the Indigenous People of the Highlands in the Heart of Borneo who share a common heritage and a common land as the Lun Dayeh, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and Sa’ban people, come together in the Alliance of the Indigenous People of the Highlands of Borneo (FORMADAT) to increase awareness and understanding about the highland communities, build local capacity, and encourage sustainable dev’t in the Heart of Borneo”

9 FORMADAT’s Mission Statement Social – Maintaining cultural and family bonds as one people sharing a common land to strengthen our adat and traditions notwithstanding the political divide Economic – Promote alternative and sustainable economic alternatives; opening market access; establish fair trading networks across political borders Environment- Minimise negative impact on environment; encourage conservation involving local people; protect natural resources, cultural and historical sites and forests.

FORMADAT’s Achievement Participation of Community Leaders and Community Associations in FORMADAT’s leadership Hosting of Annual Meetings rotated between FORMADAT communities in Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan since 2003 Support by NGOs eg. WWF Consensus on focus areas for sustainable dev’t of HoB eg. Organic agri., Common branding of produce, Ecotourism Registration of FORMADAT Borneo in Kalimantan and pending registration in Sabah and Sarawak Participation in Rainfest (RFWMF) since 2010 Launch of Adan Rice as Cultural Icon in Kuching

FORMADAT’s Challenges Continuity and quality of leadership to ensure involvement of whole communities in HoB at all levels. Engaging and getting support of their top leaders in public and private sectors Communicating and interacting across remote geographical and political divide (leveraging on IT) Obtaining support of host governments Building alliances with other Indigenous Peoples organisations for stronger voice and lobby Creating awareness and articulating the UNDRIP without alienating authorities Balancing the people’s development needs and conservation aspirations