The stilt villages on Pulau Gaya, located just a short boat ride from the Kota Kinabalu waterfront, continue to be perceived primarily as squatter settlements housing undocumented migrants. This reputation, stemming from the 1970s, persists despite the area now being home to thousands of integrated Malaysian citizens who form a significant part of the local workforce. Living conditions across the island vary dramatically, ranging from modest homes with basic utilities to severely cramped huts lacking even doors or sanitation.
The island also features a stark contrast, with several luxury resorts featuring infinity pools situated just across the dense tropical hills from these communities. Pulau Gaya represents a substantial voting bloc in the Tanjung Aru state constituency, with over 4,700 registered voters from a population exceeding 20,000. The majority of voters are from various native Sabahan Bajau ethnic groups. While some villages have seen developmental progress, others, like Kampung Pondo, maintain a reputation as hotspots for crime and undocumented immigration.
The island also features a stark contrast, with several luxury resorts featuring infinity pools situated just across the dense tropical hills from these communities. Pulau Gaya represents a substantial voting bloc in the Tanjung Aru state constituency, with over 4,700 registered voters from a population exceeding 20,000. The majority of voters are from various native Sabahan Bajau ethnic groups. While some villages have seen developmental progress, others, like Kampung Pondo, maintain a reputation as hotspots for crime and undocumented immigration.
