KUCHING: The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) has renewed its LitSara Benefit Sharing Agreement (BSA) with six indigenous communities, delivering about RM2.35 million in monetary benefits since 2019 for the essential oil derived from traditional knowledge.

In a statement issued on Friday, SBC said more than RM1 million in non-monetary benefits had also been provided over the same period, through infrastructure, distillation facilities and capacity-building programmes.

The renewal was signed by the Sarawak Biodiversity Council and representatives of the Kelabit communities of Pa' Lungan and Pa' Ukat in Bario, the Lun Bawang communities of Long Kerebangan and Long Telingan in Lawas and Long Rusu in Ba' Kelalan, and the Bidayuh community of Kampung Kiding in Padawan.

It was held in conjunction with the SBC Annual Dinner 2026 on Friday officiated by Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn.

Participating communities have supplied more than 2,000 litres of LitSara essential oil since the signing of Malaysia's first BSA in 2019, SBC said.

The LitSara initiative began in 2005 with the documentation of traditional knowledge shared by indigenous communities.

The 2019 agreement initially involved five communities, with Long Rusu joining in 2022.

Dato Sri Roland Sagah said Sarawak's biodiversity resources must be developed in ways that create meaningful economic opportunities, particularly for communities whose traditional knowledge contributes to their development.

He acknowledged SBC's role in demonstrating the practical implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), which has positioned Sarawak as a reference point regionally and internationally.

Sarawak Biodiversity Council chairman Datu Ir. Ts. Awang Mohammad Fadillah Awang Redzuan, who is also Acting Deputy Sarawak Secretary for Economic Planning and Development, said the renewal reflected continued trust and cooperation between SBC and the communities.

He said LitSara's significance extended beyond commercial development to community capacity building, sustainable livelihoods and recognition of traditional knowledge holders.

The event also marked the conclusion of the five-year TERAJU Project, implemented from September 2021 to September 2026 in Long Telingan, Long Rusu and Kampung Kiding.

The project supported community participation in the sustainable production and commercialisation of LitSara essential oil.

Project facilities and assets were symbolically handed over to the communities, signalling their transition towards greater ownership and responsibility.

For the first time, the council presented certificates of recognition to three commercial partners that have incorporated LitSara into their products.

Three new LitSara-based products were also unveiled: the LitSara Moisturising Stick, LitSara Blended Essential Oils and LitSara Relaxing & Sleep Mist.

SBC said the products marked a step towards expanding LitSara's applications beyond essential oil production into downstream product development. -UKASnews

Translator: Uilson Ng
Photos: Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC)