Lessons from Sabah indigenous resilience in a COVID-19 world

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has once again been given the honour to host the annual Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16. In conjunction with the historic event, Bernama will release a two-part feature focusing on the caring nature and spirit of togetherness, which have been Sabah's pillars of strength in the fight against COVID-19, in line with the theme of this year's Malaysia Day celebration, Malaysia Prihatin (Malaysia Cares).

This is the first of a two-part feature.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be easy to focus on keeping yourself and family safe. But, do you care enough about the safety of people around you?

Have you tapped on your neighbour's door, or call or text your neighbours asking them how they are coping with the pandemic? Or perhaps ask them whether they have received their vaccine? Do they have enough food and home essentials or perhaps remind them to observe the standard operating procedures (SOPs)?

While the urbanised community in Malaysia may not be able to give definite answers to these questions, the ethnic groups in the far-flung areas of Sabah have risen to the occasion during the rapidly unfolding coronavirus crisis through their caring nature and spirit of togetherness.

This writer had the opportunity to join a COVID-19 vaccination programme for the Sabah indigenous people in the interior recently. Based on the writer's observation, the caring spirit, which is firmly rooted in their culture and traditions, is reflected among the people amid the challenges during the protracted COVID-19.

While these ethnic groups may not be enjoying the fruits of modernisation as their urban folks, they are not totally disconnected from the outside world. They do keep abreast of latest developments on the deadly COVID-19, which has reached almost every corner of the globe, through their networking, including information on the vaccine supply for the villagers.

Hence, the spirit of Malaysia Prihatin or Malaysia Cares, being the theme of this year's Malaysia Day celebration, is reflected in the lives of the indigenous people in this land below the wind.

TOGETHERNESS

Admittedly, this writer felt nervous on meeting Kampung Long Pasia Chief, Yaakub Sim, at first sight, given his stern features. Sporting a Cowboy hat, Yaakub showed his pleasant disposition shortly after as he spoke in carefully chosen words during the interview with Bernama.

Kampung Long Pasia, located about 300km from Kota Kinabalu, has about 700 residents, the majority of whom are from the Lundayeh ethnic group and their main economic activities are agriculture and eco-tourism. It is located at 1,000 metres above sea level on the Malingan Highlands.

Born and bred in Kampung Long Pasia, Yaakub, 64, said he and several other folks would usually knock on the doors of the villagers to find out how they are coping besides providing them the latest information on COVID-19.

He said such visits, which had been the practice under previous heads, became the norm during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the door-to-door visits are aimed at ensuring the welfare and safety of the people are taken care of.

"Before COVID-19, we were free to talk and visit the kampung folks, but now we have to observe the SOPs. These restrictions however have not dampened my spirits in safeguarding the interests of the people.

"In the beginning following the outbreak of the COVID-19, it was difficult to understand as this is a new virus and the manner in which it infects people is also fast. No doubt we have had experience with other diseases such as dengue and malaria but this COVID-19 is not to be taken lightly," he told Bernama.

Another village chief in Sabah's outskirts that caught this writer's attention is Nicholas Kamun of Kampung Nukakatan. His village is situated over 300 km away from two different districts, Sipitang and Tambunan.

Folks from the two villages are united in the fight against COVID-19 despite having diverse background. Kampung Long Pasia, Sipitang is mainly inhabited by the Lundayeh ethnic group while Kampung Nukakatan, Tambunan, is mainly dwelled by the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic groups.

Residents of these two kampungs also demonstrated the spirit of togetherness in facing COVID-19 despite different ethnic background. Kampung Long Pasia, Sipitang comprises the Lundayeh ethnic group while Kampung Nukakatan, Tambunan, the majority are Kadazan-Dusun ethnic groups.

According to Nicholas, 69, it has been customary for Sabahans to reach out for each other regardless of ethnic background, religion, language or culture, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Besides the health risks, kampung folks' livelihoods have also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as there are those who have lost their jobs, among others. Besides giving information on COVID-19 and persuading them to get their vaccine, we also ask them how they are coping and help them through these trying times," he said.

Kampung Nukakatan is located at 1,000 metres above sea level on the hill slopes near Mount Kinabalu, about 60 km from Tambunan town and more than 100 km from Kota Kinabalu.

FALSE NEWS

When asked to comment on false news circulating about COVID-19 and vaccination, both village chiefs said, despite the poor internet access, such news are also accessible to folks in the interior.

According to Yaakub and Nicholas, the Ministry of Health and its agencies, among others, have also briefed to the people on the dangers posed by COVID-19 and the importance of vaccination in protecting against the spread of the deadly virus.

Yaakub said there were some villagers who tried to infiltrate the minds of the people by claiming that vaccines can cause death and some folks, he noted, have a phobia for needles; the thought of the injection itself and the needle piercing their skin, is holding them back.

"As a village chief, I was the first to be vaccinated and later showed to the kampung folks that I was doing fine after the jab. Side effects, if any, are rather minor, and this way, I managed to gain their trust," he said.

According to Nicholas, the simple way of explaining to the village folks is by telling them that the various types of vaccines given by the government over the years have proven to be safe for the people, hence COVID-19 vaccine is no exception.

"What is harmful is when someone who is not vaccinated infects others with COVID-19. As such, I would advise all kampung folks not to believe in false news, check first before receiving the information," he said.

Yaakub and Nicholas have also teamed up with other kampung folks to ensure that everyone complies with the SOPs to contain the spread of COVID-19. It was a difficult task at first, but the path became easier when folks understood its importance.

IMPORTANCE OF GETTING VACCINATED

During the vaccination programme at these villages, this writer interacted with some residents who took the initiative by communicating with the villagers on COVID-19 and the vaccination programme

Elsyana Frederick, 16, from Kampung Long Pasia, told Bernama that she received information on the vaccine and COVID-19 from her school in Sipitang town and later shared them with her family members and kampung folks.

"In the spirit of Kita Jaga Kita, we should take care of each other and not be selfish. Hence, information should be shared with the community. It is not easy to explain to the people when falsehoods spread like wildfire on social media, but at the end of the day, it's the people that we have to take care of," she lamented.

She said, the spirit of protecting the community instilled in her since childhood is what kept her explaining the benefits of the vaccine to her village folks and convincing them that the vaccine can protect them from COVID-19.

During the vaccination programme in Tamparuli, where the majority of the residents are from the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic groups, this writer had the opportunity to speak to a senior citizen, Pumpuan Dirim.Tamparuli is a rural town in the Tuaran district on the west coast of Sabah, about 36 km from Kota Kinabalu. It is inhabited by the Kadazan-Dusun ethnic majority.

Unlike those who are afraid of being vaccinated, Pumpuan, 82, was at ease as she was queuing up for her vaccine jab.

In fact, upon receiving the vaccine, she took some time to advise some residents to take their COVID-19 vaccine for their own protection.

Pumpuan said that she often cited herself as an example as she urged her family members and neighbours to get vaccinated. She said that if an elder person like her is brave enough to get the COVID-19 vaccine, there is no reason why the younger generation should be afraid.

"Take this vaccine as I myself want to be vaccinated as it keeps me safe. My advice to our kampung folks is don't be afraid to be vaccinated. It will keep us safe," she shared.

COOPERATION FROM ALL

State Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim said rural folks in Sabah now have a high awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine, thanks to the various efforts carried out to explain to them.

The Tamparuli state assemblyman said this was evident judging by the encouraging response to the COVID-19 outreach vaccination programme in the rural areas in the state, with many turning up to get their vaccine jabs.

"We have made them understand its importance through various platforms, among them via face-to-face and social media," he added.

"The role and leadership provided at both district and village levels have greatly contributed to the smooth implementation of the vaccination programme. It also showcases the close cooperation among us all, and I hope all these efforts would continue," he said.

However, he urged the government to ensure the vaccine supply for the programme is sufficient following the joint awareness campaign undertaken to achieve the goal of herd immunity as soon as possible for the state, he said.

Meanwhile, State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, who is also Karanaan state assemblyman said, members of the public should comply with the SOPs and get themselves vaccinated to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

Masidi who is also Sabah COVID-19 spokesperson said sporadic infections of unknown origin is on the rise in the state, hence fostering the spirit of togetherness among Sabahans is crucial in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"While there is a decline in close contact screening, the total cases detected from symptomatic screening or sporadic infections are on an upward trend. This means the virus is prevalent in the community and easily spread.

"These sporadic cases are often associated with failure or negligence to comply with the SOPs as well as imperfect personal health care practices. This is the time for us to strengthen our resolve in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic," he added.

-- BERNAMA