Sim-Sim villagers mark Malaysia Day in style

SABAH POLLS | Folks from the Kampung Sim-Sim fishing villages in N56 Tanjong Papat came out in full force to mark Malaysia Day with an annual decoration competition.

The area is divided across 24 "Jambatan", each with its own village committee, which is responsible to coordinate the displays and performances.

Children of all ages and their parents participated in the festivities while taking extra precautions against Covid-19.

At Jambatan 8, their presentation for the competition judges included a live version of the Tugu Negara, with a brief re-enactment of a battle scene set before Malaysia's independence.

Also on display was a model helicopter and a model Malaysia Airlines jet, with some of the villagers quipping that the flight was delayed as it had just arrived on a truck only after a crowd had gathered.

At the entrance of Jambatan 8, which leads to smaller wooden and cement bridges that are connected to houses, a large board stood out, on which were the five principles of Rukun Negara written entirely in Jawi script.

Over at Jambatan 11, visitors were treated to a more cultural display, with villagers dressed in traditional costumes representing Sabah's diverse ethnic backgrounds.

The villagers also rigged a model tank that 'fired' a confetti cannon, adding to the celebratory air.

The Malaysia Day celebrations this year coincided with ongoing campaigns for the state polls and among those who dropped by this morning included Warisan's Tanjong Papat incumbent assemblyperson Frankie Poon, who joined the villagers in several rounds of traditional dances.

The Sabah flag and Jalur Gemilang adorned costumes worn by villagers, aside from various party flags raised as things are heating up on day five of the campaign period.

While the first few days saw campaigning in the area largely dominated by Poon and United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) Tanjong Papat candidate Yunus Apil, other contenders have begun to make their presence felt among the floating villages.

Amid the festivities, Tanjong Papat independent candidate Noraini Sulong was seen leading a small team of campaign workers who distributed flyers.

Noraini is reportedly a former Sandakan Umno Women chief, making her the second former Umno Women chief to contest this state polls after Warisan's Armani Mahiruddin who formerly led Libaran Umno Women.

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