The island dwellers that comprise mostly fishermen live on a tropical paradise located off the west coast town of Kota Belud – a white sandy beach surrounded by turquoise waters and postcard-perfect sunrises and sunsets – and number about 1,000, who are of Bajau Ubian descent.
While the villagers are generally unperturbed by the increasing number of tourists, some 350 a day on average, or by the rapid pace of development on the 3km long and 1.5km wide island, the announcement of a low-cost housing project has ruffled feathers.
“They told us the houses are only for islanders. But we already have homes, and land in the kampung right by the sea. Why would we want to move? We can’t afford it, we are poor fishermen,” Norisah Ali, a villager in Kampung Siring Bukit, told Malay Mail Online.
“We have rich politicians and Datuks and Tan Sris buying up land left and right. I don’t know what they are planning to do with it, but I am worried about our future here,” said the 49-year-old mother of seven.
Norisah and her 43-year-old sister, Delana, are one of the few who own land on the island, inherited from their mother who, like many others, was born on the island after her family arrived there from the Southern Philippines before World War II.
“Many people here are still waiting for their land titles to be granted, despite being here for generations. The process is long and seems impossible. Many have already sold their land, or land claims. I think only 10 per cent of the island belong to the natives now. The rest are privately owned.
“I don’t understand how the other villagers think. What happens when the rich landowners want to develop a new resort where their house is built on? Then they no longer have land, nor enough money from selling their land to buy a new house,” she said, shaking her head,
She said “middlemen” or brokers were talking to the villagers, persuading them to sell their land or risk having nothing when the government “comes in tomorrow and takes it away”.
Delana is adamant that she will not move away or sell her land for any amount of money.
“I’m all for tourism, for development. But there is no way I will move or sell my homeland to make room for it. We are fishermen. We live by the sea; it’s in our blood. Take that away and you take away our identity. My next generation deserves more than that.” she said.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan recently announced an RM18 million development plan for the island that includes a low-cost housing project of 100 units.
The houses will be sold at RM42,000 to the islanders. Families who cannot afford it have the option of renting the housing unit for RM120 a month from the District Office.
Village chief Mohd Tahir Ismawi, who lives in the bigger of the two villages on the island, Kampung Padang, said many villagers may not be able to afford to buy the low-cost houses.
“Those who could afford it had no land of their own, or [those] with dilapidated houses will appreciate the new houses. However, many might not be able to afford it as they already have problems keeping up with the electricity bills,” Mohd Tahir said.
Some 175 houses are spread out in Kampung Padang, about a 15-minute walk from Kampung Siring Bukit. A primary school is also located here.
Electricity on the island comes on between 6pm to 6am. However, some resorts use their own generators while the school’s electricity is supplied via solar powered-panels.
The biggest concern of the villagers, according to Mohd Tahir, was the possibility of losing their livelihood.
“Development often brings with it new issues, such as losing our fish stock. The proposed location of the housing estate is also built further inland, and that can be a problem,” he said.
The proposed site is less than a ten minutes walk from the beach but it loses its beach front view, where the fishermen’s boats are moored within easy access.
“I don’t think people will want to be far away from the beach. We want to be able to see our boats. Especially during the monsoon season when the winds can wreak havoc on the boats.” he said.
Mohd Tahir also noted that he had only heard of plans for the housing project during a meeting with Abdul Rahman last February and said the villagers are in the dark.
Environmental architecture firm Arkitrek, which has been working with the villagers on the island for community projects such as harvesting rainwater for water consumption, wants development plans for the island to be sustainable and to involve the local community.
“‘There is a golden opportunity for Mantanani to be a leader in eco-tourism for Sabah. Tourism development that protects the island’s assets will be more profitable in the long-term,” said Arkitrek managing director and founder Ian Hall.
“The local community, their villages and their fishing boats are also part of the tourism appeal. Eco tourism should freely involve the islanders in development planning and get their consent for major decisions. This will create more equal benefits from a more resilient tourism industry,” he added.
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