Ulu Baram Villages

SAMLING GLOBAL LIMITED VOLUME 2: 2010/2011

SNAPSH TS

Samling brings healthcare services to Ulu Baram Villages

In the past year, Samling and Kuching Specialist Hospital (KcSH) have collaborated in a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme aimed at bringing healthcare and creating health and hygiene awareness to the communities in the Baram interior.

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Editorial Team Mandy Chen & Ellis Loke For enquiries, please email [email protected] Website www.samling.com Mailing Address The Samling Group, Wisma Samling, Lot 296, Jalan Temenggong Datuk Oyong Lawai Jau, PO Box 368, 98007 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia (Continued from page 1)

1st Medical Outreach: OctOber2009 An MoU for the collaboration was signed in September 2009 and by October 2009, the first team already kicked into action at Pelutan camp, Ulu baram. the medical team consisted of 18-member, and was headed by Dr Lim Kok ban, a physician from KcSH, and Dr Lu ting Yin, a dentist from Kota Samarahan Polyclinic. Leading the medical outreach programme are Ngeng eng cheng, Director of KcSH, and Datuk chong ek choon, the programme advisor. A medical field team appointed by KcSH comprising medical practitioners and qualified medical volunteers from both the private and public sectors would make scheduled visits to target More than 300 villagers received medical assistance, communities. The MoU promises medical and the efficiency of Samling’s logistics team received services for one year for rural communities. praise from the medical team. Healthcare services offered include basic “Ever since the flying doctor “the logistical operation went perfectly in that we got health screening, dental care and vision test. service (FDS) stopped almost three the maximum number of people. We salute Samling’s years ago, my people had little dedicated team of drivers, some of whom are actually Samling’s main role was to ensure that the access to healthcare. For that, I camp managers. We have the best partner for this project although initially there were skeptics who logistics of the programme were taken care wish to say thank you to Kuching questioned our choice of Samling as a partner,” said of. Camp facilities in the Ulu Baram region Specialist Hospital (KcSH) and Mr Ngeng. would function as field medical centres, and Samling for enabling many of us to we were also tasked to ferrying villagers from receive treatment.” Ngeng added, “We came to help those who had little access to consistent healthcare. In this we are actually pick-up points at main logging roads as far James Nyurang, headman of Tanjung Tepalit grateful to the folk of Ulu baram for giving us the as two hours from camp point. Meals were opportunity to serve them.” provided for all volunteers and every villager who came to the camp. Samling’s community affair officers, who are familiar “Making the timber camp the focal faces in the community, were the appointed local coordinators and liaison to inform the villagers of the Samling also provides transportation and point of the medical has allowed many more people to receive visiting medical teams’ scheduled visits and to arrange accommodation assistance to the visiting for facilities to enable them to seek medical services. medical field teams between Miri and its treatment, instead of moving from camps and to target communities in the one place to another which would “What we have here is similar with a rural clinic. Baram region. Logistics support also covers involve a far more complicated At times we treated villagers for minor injuries and logistics arrangement.” common illnesses,” Samling community Service medical emergencies in the event that a Officer, Stewart Paran Libut said, adding that Samling medical evacuation is needed and for referral Stewart Paran, Samling’s community service officer has been providing community services since the 70s, cases to the hospitals in town. long before cSr become popular.

2 Community Snapshots VOLUME 2: 2010/2011 “We salute Samling’s dedicated team of drivers, some of whom are actually camp managers. We have the best partner for this project...” Ngeng Eng Cheng, Director of KcSH

01 Volunteers having their hands full attending to over 300 villagers who were transported to the Pelutan Camp for medical attention. 03 02 Dr Lim Kok Ban attending to a Penan woman and her child. 2nd Medical Outreach: 03 Samling workers transporting villagers to and July2010 from pick up points on logging roads nearby the Encouraged by the success of the first medical villages. outreach programme, KScH again partnered Samling 05 to organise a second outing of the programme. The number of villagers served this time almost doubled to more than 700 members, who came from 20 villages in ulu Baram to receive medical attention at the lutin camp in ulu Baram. Samling again played host to the medical field team and was instrumental in providing logistics support.

Medicine supplies worth more than RM16,000 were dispensed by a medical team comprising a physician, 06 07 dentists, and medical assistants. Two severe cases requiring further medical attention were immediately referred to Miri Hospital via helicopter service provided by Hornbill Skyways.

“Making the timber camp the focal point of the medical has allowed many more people to receive treatment, instead of moving from one place to another which would involve a far more complicated logistics arrangement,” said Stewart Paran 08 09 Dr lim Kok Ban again led the medical team and was joined by a dedicated 20-strong team comprising two dentists and medical assistants who made a gruelling 3rd Medical Outreach: six-hour journey by land from Miri to ulu Baram where 04 The team of volunteers from Kuching and Miri, they tirelessly met with villagers who arrived as early as November2010 together with Mr Ngeng Ek Cheng (standing, 7.30am with the last to leave past 5pm. Having heard of the fruitful collaboration between middle) and Lutin Camp Manager Mr Fong Kwok Samling and KcSH, the Lions Club of miri contacted us Wo (in white). A gathering of local communities of this strength to co-organise a one-day medical care service project. also presented a unique opportunity for government The medical care provided this time included eye sight 05 Air ambulance service courtesy of Hornbill agencies such as National Registration Department, inspection, dental care, general health check-up, pap- Skyways was on standby to fly two Penan villagers Marudi Department of Agriculture, and Pusat smear test and even haircut for hair lice infestation. who needed immediate medical attention to Miri Kemahiran dan Pembangunan Sarawak, and a local Hospital by helicopter. NGO, Sarawak AIDS Council Society, to serve the The Lions Club brought in a medical team consisted people in their respective capacities. of 40 members including doctors and nurses who 06 Dentists Dr Patrick Tie and Dr Kong Lik Lin attended to about 630 patients from 14 villages in the inspecting dental health of a patient. The NRD were able to register 67 new identity card surrounding area. and birth certificate applicants and issued 28 identity 07 Medical supplies donated for the second medical cards and 53 birth certificates to previous applicants. The headman of Long Kawi, Satuk Lawai, spoke highly outreach programme. The other agencies gave talks and advised the villagers of Samling and also thanked the team for bringing about basic healthcare and daily practices, and also various other form of assistance to them, including 08 An NRD officer assisting a Penan woman in giving agricultural schemes available. road building to site leveling for long houses, donation her thumbprint as part of the IC registration of building materials, and other essentials. process. “Again, this effort would have been impossible if not for Samling’s logistics assistance in bringing the team in In conjunction with this programme, Samling also 09 A Penan child from Long Luteng holding up his from Miri, and transporting the villagers to the camp,” donated stationery and infant milk powder to the birth certificate that he has just received from the said Mr Ngeng in a closing ceremony to mark the end native children, while the Lions gave out food rations National Registration Department. of another successful medical outreach programme. and used clothing.

Community Snapshots VOLUME 2: 2010/2011 3 Engaging Forest Communities

integrating forest communities into Who benefits forest management from our community initiatives? and operations

Strategy in Consultation and dialogue regions with key stakeholders of the kampungs forest to meet two objectives : 163 3 • Keep forests healthy and Baram Lawas Bintulu/Belaga Kayan Lun Bawang Kayan productive for future Kenyah Iban generations Kelabit Punan Saban Kenyah • Meet the world’s intrinsic Berawan Penan need for wood Penan

Engagement and Consultation Process The forestry laws and regulations of Sarawak require community acceptance of logging operations in an area. We have in place a well-defined community relations policy that consists of a formal and systematic process of continuous engagement to achieve community consensus and acceptance. This partnership serves as a forum for all parties to work together, including the resolution of conflicts and disputes.

Village accepts Community Fact-finding Dialogues operations within their Liaison Team area of influence

Village accepts our Sign Samling commences Continuous Dialogues Community Assistance Goodwill Agreement operations

FaCt Finding dialogUES Signing oF agrEEmEnt We have a long tradition of engaging with The goodwill agreement will include the agreed different groups of indigenous communities. community assistance and contributions to the Before we enter to operate in any approved area nEgotiation indigenous communities during the duration of in the forestland, we will identify the indigenous After fact-finding dialogues, we will negotiate our operations. This is targeted to improve their communities who live within the area. Our with the villages so that they agree with our living conditions and provide them with easier Community Affairs Officers and authorized impending operations within their areas of and more comfortable lives. representatives will meet with the Headman and influence. Amongst those that will be discussed his villagers to inform them of our impending are ways to minimize the impact of our timber ExECUtion operations and road construction for our timber operations on their living conditions and Our Community Affairs Officers and their operations. It is not necessary to relocate the environment. When we have the consensus from team members will execute and monitor the communities as we set aside the village area, its the villages, we will proceed to draft the goodwill assistance to be provided. They will also visit surrounding forest areas and their farming land, agreement. If there is no agreement, we will not them from time to time to have their feedback water catchment areas and river buffer zones, enter to operate in their area of influence and and provide ad-hoc assistance upon request, from our timber operations. Due to the nature of continue with negotiation. such as transporting school children who live in our activities, we always consult the local villages very remote villages, leveling of land for their use, before beginning operations. The communities painting and repainting of their buildings. have the freedom to continue their daily activities in the forest.

4 Community Snapshots VOLUME 2: 2010/2011 Scholarship and Bursary Programme To enrich the talent and skills force in the countries in which we operate, we grant annual scholarships to students with outstanding academic credentials and leadership potential.

Since the scholarship programme began in Malaysia in 2000, we have provided over RM1.17million to about 43 students (including 6 indigenous students) attending local universities who pursued studies in areas relevant to our forestry operations.

We also offer our support through a bursary scheme. More flexible than a scholarship, the bursary programme reaches out to a wider group young people, ranging from school leavers, students from low income background, to those admitted to special institutions for disability-related reasons. Annually, we contribute about RM56,000 to about 51 primary and 7 secondary schools, and also to Curtin University to reward students who have Samling scholars sharing their academic and career experiences excelled academically.

Hikurangi Wins Outstanding Hikurangi’s FSC Environmental Management Award Recertification

Earlier this year Hikurangi Forest Hikurangi Forest Farms Ltd (HFF) won the coveted Outstanding Farms (HFF) underwent its first major Environmental Management Award at the inaugural Eastland Wood five-year Forest Stewardship Council Council Forestry Awards held in May 2010. This award was presented to the (FSC) audit. FSC certificates are only granted for company who best demonstrate their excellence and commitment to environmental management 5 year periods. In order to remain as a FSC certified within the forestry industry by going above and beyond general compliance. HFF was nominated by Forest Company, HFF is audited annually with major an external auditor for FSC in recognition of outstanding results during our annual FSC audits. audits every 5 years. The major audit involves 3 auditors, covering all 10 principles of FSC. During Over 220 people witness the these audits, corrective action request or CARS presentation, which was attended the are given for area where the auditors think require ceremony including the Minister of improvement, these are classified as major CARs or Education and the Gisborne District minor CARs. Council Mayor and CEO. The ceremony also saw three of HFF’s nominated HFF passed the five year audit completed by the contractors winning impressive awards Smartwood programme of the Rainforest Alliance, such as FITEC Trainee of the Year with only two minor CARs, and has successfully Award, Forestry Excellence Award, and regained FSC certification for the next 5 years. This Distribution Excellence Award. result was very much a team effort in which all staff and contractors can be proud of. Adapted from HFF’s Stakeholder Newsletter, Edition 9 (August 2010) Adapted from HFF’s Stakeholder Newsletter, Edition 9 (August 2010)

Community Snapshots VOLUME 2: 2010/2011 5 Samling boosts apprentices’ prospects via skills programme Opening doors to a better future In February 2009, Samling became the first company in Sarawak to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Institut Latihan Perindustrian Miri (ILP) to collaborate on an industrial skill training programme under the National Dual Training System (NDTS) initiated by the Ministry of Human Resources. Apprentices of the programme will be awarded a Level 3 Malaysian Skill Standard (SKM) certification, which is nationally recognized, upon the successful completion of the programme. Our vision is to equip each apprentice with skill sets that will meet the demands of the industry that we are operating in.

Since the programme started in August 2009, Samling has recruited apprentices comprising youths from both urban and rural areas in Sarawak and continues to receive enquiries from local community leaders and social workers enquiring about future participation. The first batch of 11 apprentice mechanics under sponsorship will be completing the programme in August 2011. Samling has also initiated two subsequent batches of apprentices who comprise heavy equipment mechanics and a new skill set group – welders. would be offered employment upon graduation programme. The company also intends to play Mutual benefits within various divisions in the Group. The Group’s an active role in motivating the students and to of apprenticeship diversified businesses and operations enable it to share its aspirations in making the programme a Samling’s partnership with ILP aims to provide facilitate a variety of industrial training placements success. We are encouraged by the commitment youths a unique opportunity to “earn and learn”, to complement job courses such as electrical wiring, and determination shown by this group of where they would be acquiring a new skill set welding, heavy equipment repairs and maintenance apprentices in excelling in the programme. with formal and structured on-the-job training and product design offered by ILP. To date, the Group Samling has set its sights on expanding the from qualified Samling trainers while receiving a has offered employment at its housing products training programme to include more skill sets wage for the duration of the training. Through subsidiary, Samling Housing Products (“SHP”), to and provide more opportunities to local youths the vocational training programme, the interns seven trainees who have previously obtained their to be trained as highly skilled employees. are also exposed to actual work processes and skills qualification from ILP Miri. In addition, SHP has Samling is also involved in the development of technologies relevant to industry demands. In trained them in the use of AutoCAD for the design of the training syllabus together with ILP to ensure turn, Samling benefits from having a skilled and furniture and has seconded two of the trainees to its that the course contents are relevant to market knowledgeable workforce that could provide a facilities in Port Klang. requirements. long-term, valuable resource for the business. Dialogue session between career prospects with company anD apprentices saMling after coMpletion On 19 March 2011, the company organised a of prograMMe dialogue session between the company and Our participation in the programme is a good apprentices currently under Samling’s sponsorship. opportunity for us to train and identify ILP talents The session aims to bring the ILP trainees together to join the company’s workforce upon completion to exchange feedback and to gain insight into of the industrial training. High potential students the progress of the training and development

6 Community Snapshots VOLUME 2: 2010/2011 Expedition Adoption of trackto Murray down the Orang Utan Samling was instrumental in providing logistics support for a 10-day 50-man expedition which set off for the Pulong Tau National Park in northern Sarawak in December 2009 to survey the existence of the rare Samling welcomes a new member to its family. His Sumatran rhinoceros. The expedition was organised by name is Murray, and he is said to be intelligent but is the Forest Department, and comprised members from also known for his mischievous behaviour. the department, WWF Malaysia and Samling. Murray is a 7-year-old orang utan, and the second offspring of his mother The rhinoceros, a species under Sarawak’s Wildlife Protection Ordinance, Nora. Murray was officially adopted in November 2009 from Sarawak was last seen more than 50 years ago in the upper Limbang area. There Forestry Corporation. is no historical record of a rhino population in Sarawak as the animal was only known to roam in Sabah. However, a recent picture thought to be of a Samling contributed a generous sum of RM30,000 for the adoption of Murray rhinoceros taken by a camera trap near Batu Lawi inspired the expedition. from Semenggoh Wildlife Centre for three years. Bridge foodSamling provides relief to to Penans in

Apart from providing access via our logging roads and bridges, Samling also directly contributes to the communities directly by providing assistance to build link roads and bridges to connect villages to main roads.

Bario, a village with eco-tourism potential located Samling donated RM12,000 worth of emergency food relief in response in the Kelabit Highlands in Sarawak, is finally to the food shortage faced by the Penan settlements in the remote accessible by road after the completion of a Belaga District located in Kapit Division in August 2009. The company mobilised wooden bridge built of the Group as part of its resources from its timber camps in the Belaga region to dispatch 4,000kgs of rice and other food items community assistance programme. to 12 Penan villages affected by the food shortage situation.

Community Snapshots VOLUME 2: 2010/2011 7 Our Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility Samling’s work with the community is a continuing legacy of more than 15 years, and to this day, we continue to take on the challenge of weaving Corporate Responsibility practices into our business. We are conscious that Samling’s continued success and viable growth must go hand-in-hand with our role as neighbours to communities and the wider society where we operate in. Sarawak is home to a rich diversity of indigenous people. The Kenyah, Kelabit, Kayan, Iban, Penan, Punan, Lun Bawang and many other tribes in Sarawak live within the areas of our operations. We have a long tradition of actively working with the indigenous people to integrate and accommodate their community activities within our operations. Our approach to Corporate Responsibility for the local communities in Sarawak broadly comprises :

Community Community SkillS Infrastructure : ScholarShip and AssistAnCe : ProgrammeS : ConneCting BurSary programme : Providing for Encouraging Communities with NurturiNg Future basic needs sustainablE roads Leaders livElihoods We make it a point to regularly Our Community Skills Programmes Forest lands and rivers are To enrich the talent and skills engage in dialogue with local are about helping the communities intricate and often challenging force in the countries in which indigenous communities before we to create long-term, self-reliant, terrain. Travel is limited or avoided we operate, we grant annual start any operations in their area economically vibrant communities in altogether given the hours, days and scholarships to students with to promote greater understanding. the long-term. Once we have helped sometimes weeks to get from one outstanding academic credentials These fact-finding dialogues help communities secure the basic needs, village to another. and leadership potential. us understand and assess their we assist with skill development needs better before we invite them programmes to encourage and The bridges and road network we Since the scholarship programme to participate in our Community promote a sustainable livelihood. use for our operations also provide began in Malaysia in 2000, we have Assistance Programme. access to the communities within provided over RM800,000 to about We work together with the the areas of our operations. Over 36 students attending both local The villages participating in our communities and local government the years we have also constructed and foreign universities. Community Assistance Programme agencies on agricultural initiatives feeder roads to some villages, benefit from projects that that such as building nurseries, schools, and other parts of the provide electricity, clean water organising talks and site visits, forest, enabling easier and more supply and building materials for procuring seedlings, farming convenient travelling for community their homes, schools and places of vegetables, growing fruit trees, members. With better connection, worship. tending fish ponds and planting wet community members can use paddy. With these acquired skills these roads for access to medical Requests are also often made for and tools in place, communities treatment, to transport and sell their the unexpected repair of bridges; gradually acquire the ability to share produce to nearby communities or clearing roads from land slips; in the fruits of their labour and trade to us, enhancing their self-reliance. maintaining the water pipes and with neighbouring communities. electrical wiring in villages, and a This network of access roads, built host of other contributions to help A number of pilot projects for and maintained for the benefit of out in emergencies. agriculture and coffee planting the communities, continues to be are already underway. When fully one of the most essential forms of Donations are given during festive developed, these programmes will assistance that we provide. seasons, especially Christmas to enable communities to become help make a little difference in their self-supporting even when timber This edition of Community Snapshots brings you up to date on some of the community development programmes and projects that Samling has worked celebration. companies no longer operate on recently. Happy reading! alongside them.

Community Snapshots is a publication of the Samling Group for private and internal circulation. The view and opinions expressed or implied in Community Snapshots are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of Samling, its directors or editorial staff. Unsolicited transparencies and articles are sent in at the owner’s risk and we accept no liability for loss or damage. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior or express permission from Samling.

8 Community Snapshots Volume 2 : 2010/2011