SANDAKAN: Kampung Bambangan in Batu Sapi has been selected as the pioneer Community-Based Tourism (CoBT) destination in Sandakan under the Malaysia Homestay Experience Programme (PPHM) launched by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac).
Deputy Minister of Motac, Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, said the first PPHM cluster in the district offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the local way of life in Kampung Bambangan.
Among the main attractions are picnicking at Jeti Lagenda, visiting soft-shell crab farms, fishing activities at homestay ponds, and a river cruise through the scenic mangrove forest of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve.
Its strategic location near Sepilok, the Rainforest Discovery Centre, and the Sandakan Memorial Park makes it part of a complete tourism package in Sandakan.
“This uniqueness will certainly attract more tourists and generate tourism-based economic benefits,” Khairul said.
He commended the strong commitment of the Kampung Bambangan community and the local Jeti Lagenda cooperative, which continue to foster hospitality, unity, and social inclusivity – the core values of community-based tourism.
Khairul added that improving essential infrastructure such as water supply remains a priority, with the tender process currently being managed by the State Rural Development Ministry and the Water Department.
Following Kampung Bambangan’s selection, Motac also plans to launch another PPHM cluster in Kampung Segaliud, Batu Sapi, known for its wildlife and other ecotourism attractions.
The Deputy Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Batu Sapi, said this during a press conference after launching the Kampung Bambangan CoBT in Sandakan, recently.
Also present were Motac Secretary-General Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot, Sabah Motac Director Ibrahim Othman, Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) Deputy President Wilson Thomas representing MPS President Walter Kenson, Sabah Tourism Board Officer Jason Jay, and Kampung Bambangan headman Awang Ahmad.
Khairul also revealed that Motac is in discussions with two airlines to introduce direct flights between Singapore and Sandakan to attract more international visitors to the district, which is well known for its seafood and nature-based attractions.
“We hope these flights can begin as early as next year,” he said.
In 2024, Sabah recorded RM15.1 million in tourism revenue through PPHM, with 202,053 visitors – 135,542 domestic and 66,511 international tourists. As of August 2025, the state recorded RM13.1 million in revenue with 161,318 visitors, including 115,069 domestic and 46,249 international arrivals.
Sabah currently has 39 homestay clusters involving 135 villages, 33 kampungstay programmes, 525 participants, and seven active cooperatives that drive the growth of community-based tourism.
Ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026), Motac will continue strengthening community-based tourism initiatives in line with the Daya Cipta Madani values, focusing on training, promotion, and infrastructure development to enhance rural tourism competitiveness.
Earlier, during his speech, Wilson said that initially, four villages were shortlisted as CoBT pioneers – Kampung Tanjung Aru, Bokara, Tanjung Pisau, and Bambangan – but only Kampung Tanjung Aru in Sukau and Kampung Bambangan under MPS remained active in tourism.
He added that Kampung Bambangan offers diverse attractions through its community and the Jeti Lagenda cooperative, which serves as a leisure hub while promoting local products beyond Sabah to the national level.
