Many Malaysians from other states are attracted to Sabah because of the affectionate, gentle, and generous nature of its people. Some even end up falling in love with the state and finding life partners to build families with. For businessman Kelvin Kong, who is originally from Sibu, Sarawak, his fondest memories of Sabah are when he was courting his wife, who is from Sandakan. They now have two children and have been married for 28 years. Kong describes Sabahans as friendly, soft-spoken, and charming, and he believes that Sabah’s natural wonders such as Mount Kinabalu, the Crocker Range, and its beautiful beaches and wildlife make it a place worth living in forever.
Kong also believes that an equal distribution of wealth to a developing state like Sabah could strengthen unity among Malaysians, who are generally peace-loving. Another Malaysian, Abdul Rahim Harun, met his wife in Sabah when he was posted there for work in 2011. He had already fallen in love with the state due to its numerous hiking spots, and now he and his wife enjoy hiking with their children. Abdul Rahim acknowledges that his quality of life has improved since moving to Sabah because of the affectionate, kind, and generous nature of its people. He also appreciates the opportunity to mingle with people from different ethnic groups and try their traditional cuisines.
Ramlah Bakar, a teacher from Sarawak, has worked in Sabah for 13 years and is captivated by its multi-racial and multi-cultural lifestyle. She believes that unity does not depend on place, background, culture, or economic status, and that by celebrating the integration of multiple cultures, economic and political stability can be strengthened. Ramlah finds the approachable nature of Sabahans to be helpful in exploring the state and enjoying its natural beauty.
Syamsuddin Kahar, a soldier from Johor, has been living in Tuaran, Sabah for about five years. Initially, he found it difficult to adapt to the different way of life, coming from a Bugis descendant from Johor. However, he discovered shared similarities with the Bajau Saman ethnic group in Tuaran and the Bugis in Tawau, which made him feel at home. Syamsuddin appreciates the friendly and affectionate nature of Sabahans, who easily welcome outsiders as part of their family, helping him overcome homesickness for his family in the peninsula.
Overall, Sabahans’ warm and welcoming nature, along with the state’s natural beauty and cultural diversity, are key factors drawing Malaysians from other states to establish their lives in Sabah.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
