Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia is a refugee’s community in Sandakan, Sabah. It was built in early 80's with the recognition of the UNHCR and Malaysian government. The settlers of this community are the Muslim refugees from Sulu and other parts of Mindanao who fled to Sabah during martial law in the 70’s.
The area is located in the industrial site of Sandakan, estimated 11 kilometres away from the city proper with the total land area of 47.7 acres. The number of peoples in Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia, based on the survey undertaken in 2005 is 5,527 with 939 numbers of houses.
The refugees in Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia became big asset to private companies in Sabah, Sandakan in particular. Most of them working in constructions, restaurants, plywood factories, palm oil industries and others.
The refugees are holding IMM 13 document which serves as visiting pass as well as became their permit to work in private companies in Sabah. Prior to the existence of IMM 13 as legal document for the refugees in Sabah there have many documents given by the government agencies to them such as, BANCI (Pasukan Petugas Khas), UPJKM or Burung-Burung and DAFTAR (Unit Penempatan di Jabatan Ketua Menteri)EXPO (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara)KAD POLIS (Polis Di Raja Malaysia), and SPECIAL PASS (Jabatan Imigresen). The refugees are thankful to the government for giving them these documents.
The source of income of the refugees in this community is taken from the sea such as as fishes, prawns, and crabs. These products catch by the fishermen through traditional style of fishing just within the periphery of Sandakan water. The caught fishes, prawns and crabs would be bought by purchasers and bring it as far as Lawas, Sabah. Aside from that another source of income of the refugees are running traditional businesses at home, like selling raw food such as fishes, rice, and other products that can answer the needs of the people even they would not go to town. With this sort of works the refugees were able to sustain the basic needs of their families for almost 30 years in Sandakan.
Lately, the Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia has given newly schools for the refugees’ children. This school named as Sekolah KAFA 3M. It accommodated 300 pupils every year from grade 1 to grade 6. The academic class starts on Monday and ends on Friday. While on Saturday and Sunday the religious class will take place. The curriculum of this school is inline with the educational system of Malaysia.
Skim Penempatan Kampung Bahagia also has one Mosque named Masjid Darussalam. This mosque is recognized as one of the Mosques legally established in Sabah. Any religious practices and festivals the residents of this community unanimously follow the verdict of the Sultan and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). There are times religious experts from JAKIM visited this mosque and gave sermon to the people.
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