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Thursday March 7, 2013

Kg Simunul a maze of walkways

SEMPORNA: For outsiders entering any of the squatter colonies scattered around Semporna's coastline, one could easily get lost within the maze of rickety walkways connecting the houses.

The colonies, referred to as villages here, have several main “lorong,” or lanes, extending 100m out to sea.

Houses are built along the walkways, and smaller walkways connecting larger ones branch out at intervals of two or three houses.

These smaller bridges can link entire villages together and provide endless twists and turns between the houses.

Villagers live in large homes, up to 800sq ft built to accommodate two generations of family.

According to district officer A.M. Ibnu A. K. Baba, it is the culture in Semporna for families to have very close ties.

“Mixed marriages between locals and refugees escaping conflict in southern Philippines helped create strong family ties,” he said, referring to the influx of immigrants which expanded the colonies.

The largest of the squatter colonies is Kampung Simunul, located within walking distance from Semporna town.

<b>Clustered living:</b> Aerial view of Kg Simunul (top) where six policmen were ambushed and killed by Sulu gunmen on Saturday.

Clustered living: Aerial view of Kg Simunul (top) where six policmen were ambushed and killed by Sulu gunmen on Saturday.

“The current residents are the second or third generation,” he said, adding that the Bajau people make up the majority of the population while the Suluk are a minority.

Ibnu said the unplanned expansion of the villages poses problems for outsiders, as well as the residents themselves.

“The shooting incident was an eye-opener for us. This showed us that many things can go wrong, “ he said.

“For example, enforcement officers have a difficult time finding their way around, or to even enter the villages. Also, there are no signs to help.”

“In case of fire, the way the houses are built - so close to each other - has become a hazard and firemen will also have a difficult time entering the villages,” he added.

Kampung Simunul was the site of an ambush where six policemen were killed by Sulu gunmen on Saturday.

According to Ibnu, the village is notorious for criminal elements and that was not the first shootout there.

“In my six years as district officer, there have been two or three such incidents. But this shooting is the most high profile,” he said.

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