Hard times befall Pulau Gaya boat operators

Irwan Majid3 years ago11th Jul 2021Pictures

Boat operators in Pulau Gaya, Sabah, struggle to make ends meet as the nation-wide lockdown continues amidst the raging pandemic. - The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, July 11, 2021.

THE day starts from as early as 4am for the boat operators in Pulau Gaya, Sabah.

Pulau Gaya, which is home to four water villages – Kg Suapan, Kg Lok Kurai, Kg Pasir Putih and Kg Pondoh – is a 10-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu mainland. For most of the residents of the island, who commute to Kota Kinabalu city for work, boats are the only means of transportation.

The lockdown has drastically affected the income of Pulau Gaya’s boat operators, causing a drop in revenue following restrictions that limit the capacity of passengers from 12 to only four people per boat.

Recently, the enhanced movement control order was also announced in several Sabah localities, including Kg Pondoh in Pulau Gaya.

For the villagers of Pulau Gaya, the disruption of their livelihoods entails a tough time ahead of them. – July 11, 2021.

The Malaysian Insight

Advertisement