ARU BUMI SABAH, in the capacity of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), aims to forge cross-cultural links and solidarity among the indigenous peoples of Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia through three specific activities:
(1) Visits to villages
(2) Delivery of demand-driven services based on needs and requirements
(3) Research and documentation of culture, lifestyle and expectations, so that ARU BUMI SABAH is better informed to (a) help members of society at large understand the traditional lifestyles, beliefs and cultures of the indigenous peoples in Malaysia; and (b) assist indigenous peoples in sustaining their livelihood, socio-economic and environmental activities. An impact assessment managed to gather not only the feedback on training conducted but also proposed training for future capacity building of the community. Views on how technology and religion had impacted people?s lives were also collected.

(ABS) worked in partnership with TONIBUNG and PACOS TRUST in the construction of micro-hydro projects (MHP) and capacity building as part of the multifocal rural community development initiatives. The support of GEF-SGP has also encouraged Digi and CIMB to finance the construction of micro-hydro projects in two other Murut villages, Kg. Lumpagas and Kg. Saliman.

This micro hyrdo project was in Kg. Inakaak and the activities included the following;
1. Implementation of Micro Hydro in phases
Phase 1: Initial ground work for intake and power house
The ground work activities such as:
(a) Meeting and discussion with the community by the COs (community organizers) almost every month as needed. The purpose of the meeting and discussion was to prepare, plan and do a systematic follow-up of the monthly planned activities and to get feedback in order to be the forum for problem solving.
(b) Buying and delivering hydropower engineering parts from Indonesia to Kg. Inakaak. Parts were bought in September 2010 and delivered to Kg. Inakaak in November 2010.
(c) Site preparation for the reservoir construction which involved cleaning and digging the reservoir site and also collection of sand and stones to build up the reservoir.
(d) Preparation of power house site which involved clearing, digging and flattening of the power house site.
(e) Installation of the pipes from the reservoir along the slopes of the hills till the power house.

Phase 2: Civil works ? penstock and intake system
Intake system work started in October 2010 and was completed in January 2011.
? Penstock work and joints completed in November 2010.
? Forebay tank foundation started in October 2010 and completed in
? All civil work expected completion : February 2011
? The basic structure of the scheme, including intake, penstock, forebay, and power-house had been fully constructed as of April 2011.
Phase 3: Electrical works ? power line and house wiring
? Electrical distribution pole: Community members gathered the poles through gotong royong.
? Purchase of electrical equipments and materials was done in January 2011.
Phase 4: Mechanical and electrical works ? installation of turbine and generator
? Power house foundation was completed in September
? Turbine was delivered to Kg. Inakaak in September
? Installation of turbine commenced once civil structure and was completed in February 2011
Phase 5: Training
? An exposure trip to a Micro Hydro project in Mudung Abun, Sarawak was organised in August 2010. Main objective of this visit is for the community members to have sense of whole project which will greatly help and motivate in the mobilizing their respective communities. The participants for this exposure trip are from Kg. Inakaak, Kg. Saliman and Kg. Lumpagas.
? Further and continuous trainings were conducted on site during the whole project implementation.
2. Awareness campaign and community workshop
? Project team members together with the local committee held continuous discussion to plan and implement these activities.
3. Capacity building and training
? Training were organized and conducted on four primary areas:
a) The importance of watershed and of its various components;
b) Watershed management;
c) Micro Hydro system; and
d) Operations and maintenance of a Micro Hydro system.

4. Community mapping and formulation of watershed management plan
Community mapping was conducted to mark the boundary and produce a map of the site for an effective management plan. Once the watershed is mapped, a watershed management plan was formulated to ensure sustainability of the Micro Hydro system and to ensure that the eco-system in the watershed area is protected.

5. Sustainable-economic development
? Village Socio Economic Committee was set up in three (3) communities - Inakaak, Saliman and Lumpagas. The committees mainly consist of women; but also have youth representation.
? Committee Meeting: Meeting and discussion once in two months were conducted with attendance and observation by the project field staff to discuss the project development, planning and financial management with the villagers and the local committee members. Besides that, the committee also carried out their own meetings and discussions to assess the development and accomplishment, and also the problems encountered in the construction of the project.

The five objectives as stated in the proposal were:
Objectives:
a) To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change impacts by providing energy supply generated through renewable resources.
b) To build a five kilowatt (5 Kw) Micro Hydro system for the basic lighting needs of the local community in Inakaak, Pensiangan, Sabah. The general lighting will improve the basic health and education aspects of the community, in addition to providing alternative income generation and sustainable livelihood of the villagers.
c) To conduct socio-economic activities in Inakaak, Lumpagas and Saliman
d) To conduct training on watershed management in Inakaak, Lumpagas and Saliman
e) To follow up on and further empowerment in terms of management, training and sustainability of community micro hydro project in Bantul

The four main objectives of the project was aimed at increasing the awareness of the four participating communities (Bantul, Inakaak, Lumpagas and Saliman) on the importacnt of watershed areas for the sustainablity of the microhydro system, the conservation of forest biodiversity and the protection of the environment which directly address climate change the first objective of the project.

a) Capacity Building: The project has definitely enhanced the capacity of the community in management (e.g. from the impact assessment conducted, they managed to set up a fund from the monthly collection of ?rate? from each household). The community as gain understanding of (a) principles of watershed management from the training and workshop as well an in practice (b) power and its uses and (c) the operation and maintenance of the Micro hydro system.
b) Awareness: As the proct progressed, a management plan for the watershed was formulated, protocols were drawn and an a local enforcement mechanism was set up to ensure the successful implementation.
1. To conduct socio-economic activities in Inakaak, Lumpagas and Saliman in Pagalungan sub district, Pensiangan, Sabah;
? Village Socio Economic Committee set up in three (3) communities - Inakaak, Saliman and Lumpagas. Regular meetings and discussions were done ? every month
? Exposure trip to Ulu Tomani
? Workshop on handricraft marketing and innovation was conducted in the four (4) target communities in May 2012

2. To conduct training on watershed management in Inakaak, Lumpagas and Saliman;
? Community mapping was done to mark the boundary and produce a map of the site for an effective management plan.
? Once the watershed is mapped, a watershed management plan and protocol was formulated to ensure sustainability of the Micro Hydro system and the eco-system in the watershed area is protected.
? These workshops were conducted on the 12 ? 15th October 2011.

3. To follow up on and further empowerment in terms of management, training and sustainability of community micro hydro project in Kg. Bantul.
? Training planned for November 2010 is postponed to July 2011 to focus on the completion of the micro hydro in Kg. Saliman and Kg. Inakaak.


The impact assessment managed to gather not only the feedback on training conducted but also proposed training for future capacity building of the community. Views on how technology and religion had impacted people?s lives were also collected.