By Olivia Miwil
SEMPORNA: The inaugural Igal-Igal Festival at Mantabuan Island here has been proposed as an annual community-based event that could be expanded to other islands within Tun Sakaran Marine Park (TSMP).
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry deputy permanent secretary Rimi Repin said the initiative could provide island communities with a platform to showcase their cultural heritage, traditions and tourism products.
She said Igal-Igal represented more than a traditional dance, describing it as part of the Bajau community's heritage, identity and pride.
"Igal-Igal is among the cultural treasures that hold their own unique value and have been passed down from generation to generation.
"The beauty of its dance movements, accompanied by traditional music and its distinctive performances, reflects the richness of the culture and creativity of the local community.
"We want Igal-Igal to be recognised not only among the local community, but also introduced to visitors from Malaysia and abroad as part of Semporna's cultural identity.
"I welcome this aspiration because community-based programmes have the potential to become an ongoing platform for promoting cultural heritage and the unique tourism attractions of the marine park areas," she said when officiating the two-day 2026 Igal-Igal Festival at Mantabuan Island here today.
The inaugural festival was organised by the Mantabuan Island community and Koperasi Alam Laut Silangau Semporna Berhad (KOPSI), with Brand Borneo Tours, Travel and Experiences Sdn Bhd as co-organiser, in collaboration with the Tun Sakaran Marine Park management and relevant agencies.
Mantabuan is one of eight islands under Tun Sakaran Marine Park. The others are Bohey Dulang, Bodgaya, Tetagan, Selakan, Sebangkat, Maiga and Sibuan.
Rimi said activities featured in the festival, including environmental awareness programmes, arts and cultural exhibitions, traditional music, traditional food and community activities, could help raise awareness about protecting the islands and marine ecosystems.
She said expanding the festival to other islands, with the cooperation of all stakeholders, could create opportunities for more island communities to participate in tourism-related economic activities.
These could include handicraft production, traditional food preparation, tourism services and other supporting activities.
However, Rimi said the success of an annual festival should not be measured solely by visitor numbers or the vibrancy of the event.
"It should also be measured by the benefits returned to the community and its impact on the preservation of cultural heritage and the environment," she said.
Rimi also stressed the importance of ensuring that tourism development in Tun Sakaran Marine Park was carried out responsibly and sustainably.
"We cannot separate tourism development from our responsibility to protect the environment," she said.
Also present were marine park manager Ghazali Pe Hindi and co-organisers Jasni Kanti and Anton Ngui.
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