Letters from Conservationists: APE Malaysia

Dear Young Conservationist,

Hello! My name is Mus, and I’m a proud Orang Sungai — the river people — from Kinabatangan, Sabah. I now work with APE Malaysia, a conservation organisation that helps protect orangutans and the amazing rainforest we share with them in Sabah, Malaysia.

Growing up along the Kinabatangan River, I’ve always felt connected to nature. I’ve seen wild orangutans swinging through the trees and hornbills flying overhead. But I’ve also seen how forests have disappeared, and how that affects both animals and people.

At APE Malaysia, we work hard to plant trees, reconnect forest fragments, and give orangutans safe paths to travel. We also work with local communities, like mine, to find ways we can all live in harmony with wildlife. One of my favourite moments was seeing an orangutan resting in a tree we helped plant. That’s when I knew — our work matters.

Even if you live far from the forest, you can still help. Learn about orangutans. Visit your local zoo to see them up close. Talk to your friends and family about protecting nature. Choose products that are forest-friendly. Reuse, recycle, and reduce plastic. Every little action helps.

As someone who grew up beside the river and now works to protect it, I believe young people like you are the future of conservation. Your voice, your choices, and your care can help protect orangutans for generations to come.

With hope and heart,

Musarapa Amit,

APE Malaysia