Just another slow Sunday in Kampung Sim-Sim

SABAH POLLS | Campaigning for the Sabah elections began in full swing today but it's just another slow Sunday in the fishing villages in Sim-Sim, Sandakan - one of nine voting districts under N56 Tanjong Papat.

Most of its residents were indoors when DAP's incumbent Frankie Poon Ming Fung visited the area this morning, the first of seven contenders in the contest for Tanjong Papat to do so.

Located just three kilometres from the Sandakan city centre, Kampung Sim-Sim had 2,208 registered voters as of GE14, according to Election Commission data. The entire voting district comprises 24 Jambatan (bridge), eight Lorong (alley) and a low-cost housing project.

In GE14, Poon won the seat in a three-cornered contest, but Sim-Sim is one of two voting districts which BN won in the 2018 polls.

Knocking on their doors, Poon, who was accompanied by his wife, reminded voters in the "floating villages" that he will be contesting under the Warisan flag.

The villagers largely welcomed his presence and allowed Poon's team to display his campaign poster on the walls of their homes.

The houses built on stilts are connected by wooden or cement bridges and several villagers along Jambatan 4 and Jambatan 5 were heard telling Poon that basic infrastructure issues remain a concern in their area.

Jambatan 4 warden, Andy Boy (above, left), informed Poon that issues of concern include a need to repair several rickety bridges, as well as rotting wooden steps that connected the walkway to fishing boats moored in the murky waters.

"So far okay because he (Poon) often walks around to listen to the people's problems. What he can help, he will help. But of course, he cannot help with everything," said the 52-year-old Sim-Sim native.

"Most importantly, he must carry out his responsibilities as an elected representative.

"Development will take a long time. But we can now see it (happening) little by little," said Andy.

Many of these issues were long-standing concerns and other Kampung Sim-Sim residents had during the previous Sandakan by-election campaign in May last year demanded the Warisan government to prove they are different than the BN administration. 

Over along Jambatan 5, a village chief who introduced himself as Mohamad (below) said while changes could be seen in conditions of the bridges, there remains much to be improved.

One such rickety bridge could be seen right at the end of Jambatan 5, extending out to a structure used as a gathering place for the villagers.

He also noted that Poon is a familiar face in their village, largely populated by Malays and various Sabah bumiputera ethnic groups.

"Even though he is of another religion, he is good. If someone passes away here, he will visit," said Mohamad.

The larger percentage of Chinese voters in Tanjong Papat, approximately over 50 percent of 14,373 registered voters as of GE14, resides in landed areas including a low-cost housing project.

"To me, this area is not a strange place, it's just like my home as well," Poon told Malaysiakini in an interview after the visit.

Despite his term in office being cut short after only 26 months, Poon said among infrastructure issues resolved included a roofed futsal court at the nearby Kampung Bumiputera.

As for the bridges in Kampung Sim-Sim, Poon said the repair issues were a constant problem as the bridges were not made too last.

He also claimed a change in the federal government from Harapan to PN had stalled approved funds applied by Sandakan MP Vivian Wong for purposes of infrastructure development in the area.

"The objective is to alleviate the problems of people here, so the children and adults will not fall into the sea. We are aware of that, we know the problem, we want to care for the people by building back these things, proper infrastructure for the people here.

"I will still use my Adun funds, which I have already done by repairing here and there, but that would not be a long-term solution to the major issues here," he noted.

As for his other plans, Poon also said he sees the potential to promote Kampung Sim-Sim as a tourist attraction in Sandakan.

Quizzed on his chances, the former state health minister only said he will leave it up to the voters to evaluate his track record so far.

Poon is facing six other contenders in this state election, up from two in GE14 - BN's former Tanjong Papat two-term assemblyperson Tan Shu Kiah and Independent candidate Jufazli Shi Ahmad.

Among those vying for the seat, this time around, include Mohd Yunus Apil from the revived United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), one of the state's oldest political party.

Yunus' campaign team was also seen distributing flyers around Jambatan 4 and Jambatan 5 before Poon's arrival, moving from their base at the entrance to Jambatan 2, located a few hundred metres away.

His supporters among the villagers described Yunus as a local boy and a candidate "long awaited" to revive Usno's legacy.

There were also others who are yet to be convinced, placing their need for development above ethnic sentiments surrounding the Sabah bumiputera-based party now led by former Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Polling day for the Sabah state elections will be held on Sept 26. - Mkini