Seeing the villagers with no food, an elderly Bajau Laut man Pakcik Ladja trying his very best rowing his old and broken sampan to reach out to the Marine police speedboat and reminding them the villagers that being left out for government & NGO aids. He save 27 families on the island!
Netizens were touched by his heroic act, at the same time heart-wrenching looking at the tough life the villagers go through.
Some netizens even change the former Chief minister Dato’ Sri Shafie most popular poster to his image.
The Semporna marine police boat was patrolling nearby Kampung(Kg) Halo on Monday 10am, where the Bagau-bagau cluster is. Trying his very best rowing the elderly bajau laut pakcik rowing old sampan just to reach out to the marine police officers on duty.
In the footage, it can be seen he told the police officer that all the villagers in Kg. Halo received government aids except for the 27 families at the end of the village and suggested they might be left out.
Pakcik Ladja further explained, “This is Kampung Halo Laut Hujung. Other part of the village have received assistance. But not us. ”
“We have no food. That’s why we have to fish for our food.”
“If there is help from the government, we will be able to adhere to the SOP given.”
One of the police officer took the video and reassured him, they will come again with the government and NGO aids. Further explained they might be left out because they are not registered with BANCIAN.
According to Sin Chew, Marine Police together with the NGO body- Hugs project went back to Kg. Halo with the 27 portions of foods and some necessities for the families that been left out on the same day. They asked Pakcik Ladja to inform “ketua rumah” from each family to pick up the foods.
The video was uploaded in Youtube with more than 200,000 views, with most viewers praised the efficiency of marine police force and NGO bodies in Sabah, trying their very best to assist the needy in a short turnaround time.
Netizens also praised and respect Pakcik Ladja for his move to reach out to the Marine police to ask for help on behalf of villagers who can’t even put a meal on the table.
I hardly imagine what people in Kampung Halo or some other rural area that was badly affected by Covid-19 had to go through. Just looking at this footage, tears rolling down my cheeks.
For those who are financially-able, please help them, help Sabah!
Those who would like to donate to NGO bodies in Sabah you may contact HUGS Project via Laili Basir on Facebook and Sharity of Hope Charity Association, Audrey Koh at 0168451270. #Prayfor Sabah #SharityofHope #Hugsproject