Federal Govt allocates RM50,000 for Sandakan water village cleanup

By JAMES LEONG

SANDAKAN: The historic Kampung Sim Sim, one of Malaysia’s oldest water villages, has received a RM50,000 boost from the Federal Government to tackle years of pollution and marine waste accumulation.
Established in 1879, the stilt settlement is home to over 7,000 residents and has long struggled with environmental degradation due to improper waste disposal. The funding, handed over to Persatuan Harapan Dinamik Sabah, will support cleanup efforts around Bridge 8, a known pollution hotspot.
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, accompanied by Sandakan MP Vivian Wong Shir Yee, visited Lorong H on Tuesday to assess ongoing rehabilitation works.
“Throwing rubbish into the sea may seem convenient, but the damage is severe—polluting our waters and increasing health risks,” Lim said, calling for collective responsibility in maintaining cleanliness.
She emphasized the need for multi-level government and community cooperation to ensure long-term solutions.
Vivian revealed that her team has cleared more than 300 tonnes of debris, including deeply embedded seabed waste, using excavators.
“The situation was critical—we had to dig through years of accumulated garbage,” she said. “But now, seawater is flowing freely again, and marine life like jellyfish and crabs are returning. This proves our efforts are working.”
Despite limited parliamentary funds, Vivian has prioritized RM50,000 annually for the project and welcomed federal support as validation of the community’s efforts.
Additional initiatives include repainting aging stilt houses to enhance the village’s appeal to tourists. Vivian urged residents in Kampung Sim Sim, Tanjung Aru, and Batu Sapi to stop marine dumping, noting that land-based waste is far easier and cheaper to manage.
Once a thriving waterfront community, Kampung Sim Sim’s decline due to decades of pollution has alarmed conservationists. The current cleanup—backed by both federal and local stakeholders—marks a pivotal step in preserving this cultural landmark.