FROM RIVERBANK SPECTATORS TO GLOBAL MODEL: BATU PUTEH'S KOPEL TRANSFORMS COMMUNITY TOURISM ALONG KINABATANGAN RIVER

By Suraidah Roslan

KINABATANGAN,  Feb  17 (Bernama) -- Three decades ago, youths in Mukim Batu Puteh could only stand on the riverbank and watch foreign tourist boats cruise along the Kinabatangan River, with little to no economic benefit flowing back to their community. Today, that picture has undergone a dramatic change.

Nestled among forest reserves, the once-quiet sub-district has emerged as a model of world-class community-based tourism, driven entirely by local residents through the Batu Puteh Sub-District Tourism Cooperative (KOPEL) Bhd, which was officially established in 2003.

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In 2021, Batu Puteh gained international recognition when it was named the Best Tourism Village by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The accolade paved the way for closer collaboration with the Forestry Department, leading to the Pin-Supu Forest Reserve receiving Green List certification from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

KOPEL Bhd General Manager Saidal Udin, 43, said the foundation for the cooperative was laid in 1996 through the Model of Ecology, Community and Conservation Tourism (MESCOT) initiative. The programme helped raise awareness among villagers that nature, if managed wisely, could become a sustainable source of livelihood.

Starting with a modest homestay programme, KOPEL has since expanded to offer five distinctive accommodation options, including eco camps, super camps, Mandaa Stay and hammer camps, catering particularly to international visitors seeking immersive nature experiences.

According to Saidal, among its main attractions is a river safari along the Kinabatangan, where visitors can spot the region’s iconic “Big Five” wildlife, pygmy elephants, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and crocodiles.

Once regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s premier wildlife observation sites, the Kinabatangan area has become the backbone of community tourism in Mukim Batu Puteh.

He said, today, KOPEL welcomes between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors annually, the majority comprising international student groups.

Beyond its rich biodiversity, KOPEL’s true distinction lies in its green economy model. Visitors are not merely spectators but active participants in conservation efforts, including tree planting, water quality monitoring and cave restoration.

“This is not a tourism gimmick, but a genuine green economy model that creates jobs while nurturing a strong sense of environmental stewardship among residents,” Saidal said.

KOPEL’s growing reputation has also attracted academic partnerships with leading institutions such as the University of San Francisco in the United States, the National University of Singapore and Rakuno Gakuen University in Japan.

In conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Saidal aims to further intensify promotional efforts along the Kinabatangan River to draw more visitors eager to witness Sabah’s iconic wildlife.

To strengthen long-term economic resilience, KOPEL has begun diversifying its income streams by venturing into plantation and agriculture activities.

Since late last year, it has operated the 283-hectare Seri Butong Oil Palm Plantation. The cooperative is also cultivating Red Durian, or Marang, a fruit synonymous with Sabah’s east coast, with plans to commercialise the crop to reduce reliance on tourism.

KOPEL Bhd Operations Manager Mohd Faijan Mustapah, 34, noted that nearly 90 per cent of the cooperative’s workforce comprises youths under the age of 40, employed as nature guides, boat operators and forest management and conservation personnel.

Faijan himself began as a nature guide for seven years before moving into management, a journey that not only honed his leadership skills but also deepened his passion for wildlife photography and birdwatching.

He added that KOPEL ensures employment opportunities for local youths regardless of their proficiency in English or academic background, offering roles in maintenance and housekeeping to ensure inclusivity.

For boatman Mohd Hasri Raman, 47, joining KOPEL marked a significant turning point.

Formerly a fisherman, he now interacts daily with visitors from around the world, gaining exposure to different cultures and languages, a testament to how community tourism has transformed livelihoods in Mukim Batu Puteh.

-- BERNAMA