The initiative finds its legitimacy in the traditional leadership of the Highlands. The Krayan Selatan customary chief, Lewi G. Paru, is the National Chief of FORMADAT Indonesia, and the Ba’ Kelalan customary chief, George Sigar Sultan, is the National Chief of FORMADAT Malaysia.
FORMADAT is a trans-boundary, grassroots initiative that aims to increase awareness and understanding of the communities of the Highlands, maintain cultural traditions, build local capacity, and encourage sustainable development in the Heart of Borneo without risking the degradation of the quality of the social and natural environment.