Entrance of Luma’ Kembara, which is a water resort located just a few minutes from Semporna. — Photos: ANNA ANTHON
We've all heard of Semporna, a town on the east coast of Sabah. Semporna is the gateway to the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, a group of eight islands with breathtaking dive and snorkel sites. If it can be believed, the islands in Semporna are more breathtaking in person than in photos and videos.
I was privileged to see this beauty for myself and I must admit that it holds some of the most gorgeous and lively sceneries above and under water. From the sandy white beaches and the vast ocean to coral reefs teeming with life, it is truly a wonderful place for a holiday.
But before you start packing your bags and heading off to Semporna, you must find accommodation. Instead of choosing to stay in a resort where all the money goes to the tycoons who “own” the islands, you can make a difference and give back to the local community. One such resort that benefits the locals is Luma’ Kembara.
Resort co-owner Chan (right) taking a wefie with the writer, her family and the staff and kids at Luma’ Kembara.
Luma’ Kembara was founded during the pandemic by William Cheah and partner YiLyn Chan. They are also the founders of Kembara Kitchen, a disaster relief operation, and the Kembara Community Care Centre. Through Luma’ Kembara, they try to help the Bajau Laut people, many of whom are stateless. This means that these Bajau Laut people have no official identification documents like MyKad or passport. Without these documents, they cannot get an education or a job or even receive government medical help.
Luma’ Kembara donates part of the profit earned through the resort to the Bajau Laut community. The money is used to buy food and clothes and other essentials, ensuring that the money is spent on necessities.
Additionally, once in a while, Cheah and Chan bring in doctors and pharmacists to the resort and allow them to stay there for free. Then, they inform the community that they can receive help at the resort so the Bajau Laut folks in need of medical attention can get it from the doctors and pharmacists for free. Some of the most common illnesses that need to be treated are head lice infestations and scabies, which both stem from hygiene issues.
The owners of Luma' Kembara also run Kembara Kitchen and Kembara Community Care Centre.
Some Bajau Laut children at the Semporna jetty try to make money by helping tourists carry bags. But most of them do not know how to communicate and, more often than not, end up harassing visitors. Previously, to “help”, they would open all the car doors, take out the luggage and carry them, thinking that by doing so they are helping and the tourists would have to tip them.
Areh, Hamisha and Sapina are three Bajau Laut children who are given the opportunity to help out at Luma’ Kembara when there are guests, so that they can earn a few extra ringgit. This is in the hope that their experience working and interacting with guests will provide them with better opportunities in the future.
Cheah and Chan hope that this will help to change the girls’ mindsets and allow them to see that there are more possibilities in life.
I had the chance to speak to these girls. Areh, Hamisha and Sapina say that they are grateful for the opportunity to work. There is always fresh water, food and electricity when they stay at Luma’ Kembara, which is vastly different from their usual living conditions.
Luma’ Kembara has also taught them manners and how to be helpful and polite. The girls were a joy to be around with and made my family holiday more interesting.
Luma’ Kembara allows them to explore their interests. Hamisha and Sapina like dancing and singing. Areh is being taught how to swim like a mermaid by a professional mermaid coach. This will provide her with a job opportunity in the future because mermaid performers and diving coaches do not need a MyKad or passport to obtain the necessary certification.
However, just to get to Level One certification costs RM4,000.
View from the top of Bohey Dulang, which is one of the islands near Semporna.
Staying at Luma’ Kembara is not just about helping the local community. It’s a lovely place that will delight visitors.
The rooms are simple: In each one there’s a bed, lights, a fan and en-suite bathroom and toilet. There is no air-conditioner, but do not fret because the sea breeze is guaranteed to keep you cool at night.
Outside the rooms, there are balconies which are the perfect spots to curl up with a book or admire the sunset.
The food is second to none. I got to try some unique seafood, including sea agar-agar and sea grapes (also known as latok). My favourite was the barbecued seafood. A resort employee will even take you to the seafood market to help you get the freshest catch as well as the best deals possible.
There also many activities for guests to do at Luma’ Kembara, and Semporna in general. You can try stand-up paddleboarding, something that is becoming more popular on the islands and beaches around Sabah.
Luma’ Kembara is not just a place for you to stay during your holiday in Semporna, but a good way for you to indirectly give back to the local community too.
