Two umbrella native groupings in Sabah and Sarawak have reached accord on the articles of association for a Pan-Borneo forum. It will be registered as an international NGO with the United Nations Organisations.

The thrust of the 'Borneo Forum of the Indigenous People of Borneo', or the Borneo Forum (BF), will be to bring together native groups on heritage issues.

sabah natives bajau community 180509 02 "We had a good two-day meeting (last weekend) in Bintulu which ended with visits to several longhouses in Sarawak before we broke camp," said BF chairperson Jeffrey Gapari Kitingan, upon his return to Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

Jeffrey said he sees the BF as supporting efforts to protect and develop the cultural heritage, and natural and human resources of the indigenous peoples.

"By protection, we are referring to the rights of the indigenous peoples, their natural heritage, land, culture, customs, traditions, languages and way of life," explained Jeffrey.

"Land rights, based on Adat (native law), have become a particularly sore point among people all over Borneo as this has come into conflict with legislators."

He dismissed fears that the BF would be anti-development, stressing that it would push for sustainable development that incorporates social, educational and environmental aspects.

jeffrey kitingan "The BF may do other things that are conducive or incidental to the attainment of the key objectives of the organisation."

As an example, Jeffrey ( right ) cited the fostering of internationalisation through academic, diplomatic and cultural exchanges and collaboration.

The Bintulu meeting agreed in principle that the BF Charter would comprise 13 articles covering such details as the name of the organisation and objectives, structure, amendments, quorum, delegates, finance, and meetings.

The languages of BF, under Article 13, will be English and Malay as officially spoken in Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

A Borneo Forum Conference will be held triennially to discuss progress on heritage issues.

Reaching out to Brunei

Jeffrey said representatives of the Majlis Adat Dayak Kalimantan could not be present in Bintulu, but that they will host the next BF meeting to be held in Pontianak, East Kalimantan, on Nov 28.

kalimantan borneo story 091208 augustine teras narang BF is also trying to reach out to native associations in Brunei. The original natives are Iban, now in a minority, while the rest are classified as Barunai (or Brunei Malays), Dusun, Murut and Lun Bawang.

The two main organisations represented in Bintulu were the Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF) which Jeffrey heads, and the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), which groups together associations representing the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Lun Bawang (also an Orang Ulu group).

BHF has members from associations representing the Dusun, Kadazan (urban Dusun) and Murut communities. Others - mainly Bajau, Suluk and half-natives - in Sabah are represented by individuals. BHF also has some Momogun members (non-natives living on the land of the natives).

The catalyst for the formation of the BF came from Central Kalimantan Governor Augustine Teras Narang ( above ) during a visit to Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei late last year.