People of the Heart of Borneo programme

The work of champions

When 3 countries commit to protect one of the world's last great stands of tropical rainforest, the efforts - and hopes - of hundreds of people culminate.
Government ministries and agencies, NGOs, academics and people from all walks of life are contributing to the Heart of Borneo programme, a once in a generation opportunity to protect 220,000 km2 of montane rainforest in the highlands of Borneo.

Meet some of the key actors in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia.
 / ©: Sheikh Jamaluddin
Sheikh Jamaluddin
© Sheikh Jamaluddin

Sheikh Jamaluddin

Chief Executive Officer of Brunei Tourism Board


A very personal conviction that tourism and sustainable development go hand in hand animates Sheikh. What better than the Heart of Borneo programme to see these principles take hold in Brunei's forests? Find out more about a globe-trotting and committed CEO.
Meet Sheikh
 / ©: WWF
Arman Mallolongan, Director General for Forest Protection and Nature Conservation – Ministry of Forestry, Government of Indonesia.
© WWF

M. Arman Mallolongan

Director General for Forest Protection and Nature Conservation – Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia


Over the last 10 years, Arman Mallolongan has taken various leadership roles in forest conservation in Indonesia. In his capacity at Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry, this seasoned forest conservationist is taking forward Indonesia's commitment for the Heart of Borneo programme.
Meet Arman

Hermayani Putera

 / ©: Hermayani Putera
Hermayani Putera, WWF Programme Manager, Betung Kerihun, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo)
© Hermayani Putera
WWF Programme Manager, Betung Kerihun, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo)
Betung Kerihun is Hermayani's home and workspace, a vast national park located near the border with the Malaysian State of Sarawak. On his agenda: dealing with unsustainable logging and wildlife trade,  engaging cooperation between 3 conservation areas in 2 countries, and promoting the Heart of Borneo vision.
Meet Hermayani
 / ©: WWF
Laurentius Abu
© WWF

Laurentius Ambu

Sabah Wildlife Department, Malaysia

The road for sustainability in Sabah is fraught with pitfalls and sharp bends, but Laurentius Ambu knows it well. For almost 20 years, he has been working with the Sabah Wildlife Department to ensure the perpetuity of wildlife and habitat through protected areas, and to ensure that any utilisation of wildlife is sustainable.
Meet Laurentius

Raymond Alfred

 / ©: Raymond Alfred
Raymond Alfred
© Raymond Alfred
WWF wildlife researcher, Sabah, Malaysia
Getting up close and personal with elephants, rhinos and orang-utans, Raymond reads wildlife tracks and behaviour the way others would read a book. With cutting-edge GIS technology and a thorough knowledge of the species he seeks to protect, he aims to discover where endangered species choose to live - and why.
Meet Raymond

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