00:01Across the country, Malaysians are raising flags and singing anthems as part of the Malaysia Day festivities.
00:08But on this small island in Samporna, the celebrations sound a little different.
00:19The sound of children learning their ABCs and counting their 1-2-3s may be a familiar scene in villages across the country.
00:26But on Pulau Sebangkat, where many of its Bajar Lawat residents remain stateless, this reality only became possible 5 years ago thanks to Saleh Abdul Saleh, a descendant of the island's original inhabitants.
00:40Since 5 years ago, we were able to realize how important the education is for the community here.
00:515 years ago, I came here and the kids here and the kids here are not able to read, write, read the Quran.
00:58I also took the decision to build a school for the community that lives on this island.
01:09With support from the Samporna Fishermen's Association, community groups and private donors, the school became a reality.
01:16But Saleh didn't stop there. He also built 15 houses, a surau and a small shop on the island with the same support.
01:26Today, six teachers guide the island's children through lessons in reading, writing, religion and even environmental care.
01:33We don't want them to leave. So, we also teach them to know the trees and the surrounding areas of the island.
01:43The area of Pulau Sebangkat is located in the area of the Taman Merindun.
01:48So, we teach them how to protect the trees and the surrounding areas of the island.
01:54So, if we don't give education to them, they don't know.
01:59Beyond education, their traditions, like the Igal-Igal dance, are also kept alive.
02:07Saleh Hope's Pulau Sebangkat can one day become a sustainable tourism hub where Bajalau culture thrives
02:14and its youth serve as guardians of the island.
02:16We are a real-life destination from our grandparents.
02:24Before the British tour, we were already on the island.
02:29If we look at the community-community here, they are not people from the Philippines, not from Indonesia.
02:38So, if we take action and go to the Philippines, they don't have a family here.
02:44So, what's wrong for them to be elected and be elected to be given the comment?
Be the first to comment