RENOWNED for its Bajau horsemen and "penjaram," snack, Kota Belud grabbed headlines in 2022 as one of Malaysia's poorest regions. Time has not brought progress.
The Kota Belud economy now battles shrinking financial muscle, a consequence of reduced government aid to its many needy residents. As Sabah gears up for next year's elections, Kota Belud show a stark political division among its nearly 80,000 voters in the Usukan, Tampasuk, and Kadamaian constituencies.
The older generation still holds onto memories of Barisan Nasional while younger voices rally behind local champions such as Warisan. The latest elections saw Barisan Nasional clinch victories in Tampasuk and Usukan, with Upko claiming Kadamaian.
Going bust
Awang Adek, 74, a long-time resident, said constituents are treated as pawns in political manoeuvres.
"When politicians need your vote, they'll warmly embrace you. But when their seats are secure, they become scarce," he told The Vibes.
Adek voted in Tampasuk, whose assemblyman Mohd Arsad Bistari left Umno to join the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah in early 2023. Adek was nostaltic about the BN era, recalling, "Cash aid flowed abundantly then. My RM700 pension alone couldn't sustain us."
After tapping rubber and rearing livestock, he opened an “ikan bakar” restaurant and enjoyed good business for about five years.
"During BN's time, prosperity was felt. However, the pandemic brought hardships, and I had to close my business last year," said Adek, adding that his income had shrank from more than RM1,000 to barely RM300 a day.
Adek thanked former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for fulfilling his promises, even though the man had been jailed for his crimes.
Bakar Ahmad, 67, runs a sundry shop at Bazaar Kota Belud.
"Najib's era saw economic vitality, yet funds often vanished through political channels," Bakar said.
He said political bagmen took a share of the direct cash aid for the people. Bakar said cronies landed government projects but gave them out to contractors for kickbacks. He said the effects were felt by small businesses such as his. Bakar said there are only a few shops left in Bazaar Kota Belud today though it was fully occupied when the complex was reopened in 2022.
To revive local commerce, Bakar and a several other shop owners have asked the complex management to woo tourists to the area, but this has not been done.
Pak Itam is a 67-year-old pensioner who is supporting five adult children. He said his three older sons are toiling on a neighbour's farm and earning little. Itam’s two other adult children are still grappling with unemployment.
"It is hard to survive on a small pension."
Budin Ansar, a rubber tapper in Kampung Bungaliu, said it does not matter who is the MP or assemblymen. He said the current MP, Munirah Majilis of Warisan, is doing a good job but her hands are tied as she is an opposition leader. Barisan Nasional assemblymen Datuk Seri Salleh Said is also in the opposition.
“Assistance for the constituencies has not been forthcoming. So these areas are facing problems and hardships," Budin said.
Dropping out to work
Ayshea Ali, 20, works at a fast food restaurnt in Kota Belud after quitting school at 15 when her parents divorced. She earns RM1,500 a month. Her three older brothers are working for their mother at her sundry shop.
“I lost interest in completing my secondary school studies. It is better to earn money,” she said.
Budi Ansar, 39, a former offshore worker turned rubber tapper, said such cases are common in Kota Belud.
Financial problems have forced thousands of youngsters in Kota Belud to quit school for work.
"Many give up their dreams of getting an education because of money problems," said Budi. – June 15, 2024
