DIGI MINI KARNIVAL

The crowd during Troy & Kamis concert

The people in Kampung Bahagia had received a reward party from DiGi in a form of Mini Karnival last 19 July 2009. There were at least 5 events besides the raffle draw which had been participated by the youth in this community such as, basketball 3 on 3, beach volleyball, shuffle dance, Karaoke singing contest and Igal-igal/magpangalay. The committees of the program which includes Nasir bin Abdullah were grateful to Digi for bringing such a wonderful and joyful occassion to the community.

KAMIS AND TROY

Aside from that event, the people of Kampung Bahagia were satiated with the presence of two famous Tausug artists in Sabah, Kamis & Troy, who are currently popular with their respective song "Lolay Liyangkit & Patay Lidjiki'. The artists really received a huge support from the people here. Some of them believe the existence of these artists will give a positive impact to the Tausug in Sabah most especially in responding to "1 Malaysia" concept recently propagated by His Excellency the Prime Minister of Malaysia Datu Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Winners

Hopefully, this type of event will continue to happen in this community to inspire the youth to promote a positive culture in the society. Ever since the creation of Kampung Bahagia we were and are always supporting the Malaysian agenda to quell unhealthy activities in the society.

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WHO WILL SAY SURRENDER?

Since the creation of this blog, pollution has been part of discussion in some of our articles. We share it to the world with deep concern over our health, environment, and other creations. For a long period of time we are seeing no positive effect of this pollution rather it causes more people in the community suffering from various illnesses.

Lately, as I passed by over the bridge of this community, the color of the seawater attracted my eyes. The seawater looks like a mud, but in reality that was the substance spilled from the factories. I’ve notice almost every day these factories do their routine to pollute the seawater of this community. There are no safe places anymore in here. Every corner of this community is polluted. The space above is polluted with smokes, the water is tainted by substance, and the garbage is everywhere, this place is indeed a slum.

Previous days, there was a group from the ministry of health did their monthly routine to do smoke belching. As there was patients from this community confined for dengue case in the Hospital Duchess of Kent, Sandakan. We thanked the government for their concern over this matter. We know the cause of this can’t be pinpointed to anyone but the people of this community. Should this place have been given extra care by them this place would not reach this worst situation.

Whatever it is, the problem faced by the people in this part of the world furtively destructing the lives of many creations. It’s almost impossible to revive what we have lost out of this problem. We got forlorn of hopes if the people in this community could still resist living in the next 10 years with this sort of ambience. For me, I better hoist the white flag at this point in time and to say surrender. I better not wait until the owner of these factories say, okay you win we will relocate our factories. And I think that’s impossible.

Profit is valuable than lives to the capitalist. There is no way for the people in this community to fight for their right. Everyone having their rights, but the question whose right must be prioritized?

Let the government decide the fate of this people. We are very thankful should they have options to help solve the crisis being faced.

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EDUCATION FOR ALL

Recently, despite of the existence of school KAFA in Kampung Bahagia, there are still many refugees children don’t know how to read and write. This problem traced as the KAFA began its operation last two years. Although this dilemma just made known lately, in previous years it already became a problem of some parents who have the desire to send their children to school. There are parents successfully sent their children to school while the other failed. There are many factors contributing to this problem especially on the side of parents who were easily wilt should they encounter challenges. Based on general opinion, there are three reasons that contribute to the continuous existence of educational problem among the refugees: firstly, the lack of interest of some parents to give their children’s education, secondly, not accessible to any government and private schools because they are refugees. Thirdly, the busyness of the parents in searching for daily survival is also contributing to it.

There are cases some parents only send their children to school just to learn the basic of read and write. If there children knew it all the parents would discourage them from entering school. Some parents rather choose to let their children to work in factories, sell fishes in the market and help them at home than to let their children to continue their studies.
The effect of educational problem among the refugees’ children in the past has been felt today. Most of the refugees’ children who have no access to education before are now facing the consequences as they want to have stable job to sustain their families. By now they realize the important of education to their lives. The only hope which they have in mind is that they don’t want their children to mimic their failure on education.

Refugees are not at all time seeking refuge. Someday they will become like anyone, free to go anywhere. As long as they are here in Malaysia, they will soon be given status of permanent residence. Sooner or later they will soon live anywhere in Malaysia. If they have no adequate knowledge how they can contribute to the economy of Malaysia?

I believed it’s only educated individual who have more concern about development, peace and harmony within the society. Since the refugees also exist as human and also partially part of Malaysian society, help them to find ways and means that can possibly bring in the light of knowledge to their midst without any hindrance. If it’s difficult to the government of Malaysia to reconsider the acceptance of refugees to admit in government schools even just in private will do so that the refugees’ children will not grow uneducated.

We thank the Malaysian government for giving the school KAFA.

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AN HOUR WITH MR. NASIR ABDULLAH, A Chairperson of Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia

This conversation was undertaken in Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia on March 16, 2009 at the house of Mr. Nasir Abdullah.

Yaz: Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullah. Since when you start involving in community leadership?

Nasir: Waalaikum salam warahmatullah, Actually, I start my involvement in community leadership way back 1992 at the time when Sharif Jul bin Titing served as chairperson (JKKP) of Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia. By that time, I already have experience in leadership only not yet fully matured compare to this time. Then I tasked as an adviser of the chairperson. With this little task, I tried my best to give what I can. At the time when Sharif Jul bin Titing retired from his post as chairperson, his brother Sharif Hashim replaced him. It was 1994 the leadership transition took place. As new chairperson, Sharif Hashim appointed me as his adviser until 1995. After that, he assigned me to hold security task in the community. After two years, I assigned to chair the religious affair in the community. It was that time people started calling me Imam. I spent 7 years as a caretaker of religious affair in this community. After that position the people of the community entrusted me to serve as their chairperson. It was in 2004 where my career as chairperson Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia started. With this position, I found many challenges, which I did not meet when I was an adviser. However, it did not stop me to serve my people.

Yaz: as a chairperson what are the approaches you adopt to maintain peace and harmony in this community.

Nasir: Based on my experience mingling with the people is the best approach I have shown to them. Through this approach, the bond of love between leader and its subject will loom. If this chemistry realize burden in handling community will lessen. The biggest problem will arise once a leader like me tolerates tribalism. I believed a community should stand as one body and soul. The latter should advise the erstwhile in any transaction. So do with community. His populace in all the ways should not forsake the leader. The people should give comment, suggestion, and recommendation, which can bring goodness to the community as a whole.

Yaz: For almost 5 years as a chairperson, what do you prospect for the future of your community and its people?

Nasir: Well, all of us have respective vision. As a leader, I wish, as I retire from this post, I can see my community improving in all aspect. Thanks to Allah by now, our community is religiously active. I am sure Allah will not take this from us once the people will not swerve from his path. I hope in the future, with the help of Allah, we can build madrasah for our people even though we already given school KAFA. I saw that once our children finish grade 6 from said school they have no other option than to stop studying. Therefore, if there is madrasah in this community, those pupils from KAFA who want to pursue their studies they can have it here. As of now, this is my concern most. I hope before I step down I can find ways to realize my vision for my community and my people.

Yaz: Lastly, What is your stand towards pollution emitted from Palm oil factories, IOI and IJM?

Nasir: Honestly, this problem is detrimental to our health particularly to our children. In past few years there have been many complains I received from my people especially the owners of fish cages regarding hundreds of their fishes died caused by the toxic from IOI factory poured to the seawater. As I knew that, I automatically brought that complaint to the management of said factory, however, the case unfairly settled. I hope the pollution problem in our community will solve fairly.

Additionally, why I mention pollution problem as detrimental, lately I observed there has been many changes I see in my people regarding health crisis. Maybe if you want to conduct research inside the community you will find many people suffering from cold and other sickness. What amazes me why our children always having this illness? Before, we don’t experience it. I’m afraid; this problem would affect our health seriously should this problem remain unsolved.

Yaz: I thank you for your time. I wish you all the best.

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Living with Pollution

Our world today is getting closer to doom if humankind don’t take responsibility on their daily transaction in this world. Many people exuberate to have oil companies capable to produce million of dollars per day. But they failed to make people and environment happy. They only know the value of dollars but do not care about people health and environment. How many billion of dollars do the companies benefited out of palm oil? Are the profit benefited from this business is enough to pay for a live of innocent child contaminated by the diseases brought by substance emitted from factories? How about our environment? Can billion of dollars capable to save them too?

Let us ponder for a while why there have been lot of people in the world went out to the street and shout “SAVE OUR PLANET EARTH”. Isn’t this message enough to tell that our world is already suffering? Where is our environmentalist and leaders? What is the use of environmental laws should it only put in the pages of books? Sometimes our leaders just pretend as saviour of humanity and environment. But until what extend they exert efforts to quell the pollution currently destroying our surroundings. To question the sincerity of our leaders is another story. However, let us be pragmatic. Our environment threatened by pollution coming from various sources. The life of humanity is at risk. Where are the leaders of this time to address these problems?

In Sandakan we are not free of pollution too. Some communities particularly slums open to this sort of problem. One of the places I would like to share is the plight of the Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia and its people. For past few years before the two giant companies of Palm oil in Malaysia (IOI and IJM) build in this neighbourhood Skim Penampatan Kampung Bahagia had clean air and water. By that time the children not only enjoying the clean air but also took their time swam in the clear sea water just beneath the bridge of this place without any fear of toxic. While entering the community fresh air from the mountain can be sense by our olfaction. Fishes, crabs and prawns are visible swam just beneath our homes. The mud during low tides had variety of shells crawled searching for their foods. The people in this neighbourhood by that time really basked the gift of God put in the clean environment. Sad to say, nowadays that natural endowment can not anymore found here. All those gifts are gone. Only remain is the good memory. Factories toxic have taken it all away from us. The aroma from these oil factories has become the aroma of our community. The dirt discharge from these companies became the colour of our sea water and the atmosphere filled with heavy black smoke.

The question now is the substance and the black smoke emitted from these factories not dangerous to our health? Why the management of these companies don’t tell the people in this community if the substance and smoke discharge not risk to their lives and to environment. What is really behind?


It is known Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia is refugees’ community. All we need from the management and owner of these companies is to give attention to this matter sincerely. Don’t let the people in this community incognizant of the fact. If this place is not anymore safe to us then tell our people, particularly the leaders about this problem. We are appealing to all please look at us with mercy. We are already suffering for past ten years. There have been lots of damages caused by this man-made catastrophe in our community. Let us join hand to save the lives of people living in this community and our environment.

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KAFA celebrating Maulidur Rasul

All around the Ummah, Muslims are showing their love to the Last and final Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam by celebrating his Birthday on Rabbiul Awwal 1430. There are at least 45 Muslim countries, including Malaysia, in the world which maintaining the celebration of the beloved Prophet. On the month of Rabiul Awwal according to http://www.al-azim.com there were many incidents happened during this month aside from Prophet’s birthday. If Muslim ummah celebrating this occasion it means they are not only commemorating prophet’s birthday as well as to remember what were happened in the history of the Muslim.

By following this long standing Muslim practice and love for Rasulullah the Populace in Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia is as well commemorating Prophet’s Birthday through the initiative of school KAFA and other people in the community. This celebration divided into two different programs. One of which was following the Folk Muslim type of celebrating Maulid in Sulu and the other was undertaken in school by listening to the message delivered by Mr. Nasir Abdullah about Maulidur Rasul. After the message, the faculties giving quizzes to the pupils related to the occasion.

Prophet Muhammad, without doubt, is a Messenger and the Final Prophet of Allah sent not only to Humanity but to all creations as well. He was the most merciful person. Allah called him as (a mercy to the worlds) (Al-Anbiya’ 21: 107) He was merciful to his family, followers, friends, even enemies. He was merciful to young and old, to humans and to animals.*

* www.islamonline.com

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KAMPUNG BAHAGIA

Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia is a refugee’s community in Sandakan, Sabah. It was built in early 80's with the recognition of the UNHCR and Malaysian government. The settlers of this community are the Muslim refugees from Sulu and other parts of Mindanao who fled to Sabah during martial law in the 70’s.

The area is located in the industrial site of Sandakan, estimated 11 kilometres away from the city proper with the total land area of 47.7 acres. The number of peoples in Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia, based on the survey undertaken in 2005 is 5,527 with 939 numbers of houses.

The refugees in Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia became big asset to private companies in Sabah, Sandakan in particular. Most of them working in constructions, restaurants, plywood factories, palm oil industries and others.

The refugees are holding IMM 13 document which serves as visiting pass as well as became their permit to work in private companies in Sabah. Prior to the existence of IMM 13 as legal document for the refugees in Sabah there have many documents given by the government agencies to them such as, BANCI (Pasukan Petugas Khas), UPJKM or Burung-Burung and DAFTAR (Unit Penempatan di Jabatan Ketua Menteri)EXPO (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara)KAD POLIS (Polis Di Raja Malaysia), and SPECIAL PASS (Jabatan Imigresen). The refugees are thankful to the government for giving them these documents.

The source of income of the refugees in this community is taken from the sea such as as fishes, prawns, and crabs. These products catch by the fishermen through traditional style of fishing just within the periphery of Sandakan water. The caught fishes, prawns and crabs would be bought by purchasers and bring it as far as Lawas, Sabah. Aside from that another source of income of the refugees are running traditional businesses at home, like selling raw food such as fishes, rice, and other products that can answer the needs of the people even they would not go to town. With this sort of works the refugees were able to sustain the basic needs of their families for almost 30 years in Sandakan.

Lately, the Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia has given newly schools for the refugees’ children. This school named as Sekolah KAFA 3M. It accommodated 300 pupils every year from grade 1 to grade 6. The academic class starts on Monday and ends on Friday. While on Saturday and Sunday the religious class will take place. The curriculum of this school is inline with the educational system of Malaysia.

Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia also has one Mosque named Masjid Darussalam. This mosque is recognized as one of the Mosques legally established in Sabah. Any religious practices and festivals the residents of this community unanimously follow the verdict of the Sultan and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). There are times religious experts from JAKIM visited this mosque and gave sermon to the people.

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