14/04/2026
Day 3: Community Visit 🌿
We stepped out of the meeting room and into the heart of communities, learning directly from Indigenous Peoples and their lived experiences.
Participants were divided into three groups, each exploring powerful stories of resilience, sustainability, and self-determination.
Group 1 – Kg. Babagon & Kg. Tampasak, Penampang
Learning from the Dusun community on how they have managed their traditional lands, rivers, and cultural practices for generations. From the Tagal system protecting rivers to community-based eco-tourism, this visit showed how environmental conservation and livelihoods go hand in hand.
Group 2 – Kg. Buayan, Penampang
Witnessing a community-led renewable energy solution through a micro-hydro system powering 45 households. A powerful example of how communities utilize natural resources sustainably while managing their own energy systems.
Group 3 – Malinsau, Ranau
Hearing the long struggle of Dusun communities in defending their Native Customary Rights (NCR) since the 1970s. A major milestone was achieved in 2021 when the High Court ordered the cancellation of a company lease over approximately 449.6 hectares of their claimed land and directed the government to conduct a land enquiry. Today, MAWASI continues to strengthen community resilience, with women playing a key role in preserving traditional knowledge and practices.
From land rights to clean energy, today reminded us: solutions already exist within communities—we just need to listen and support.
