On a weekend in September 2026, Pulau Mantabuan, one of eight islands within Sabah’s Tun Sakaran Marine Park, became the setting for the inaugural Pesta Igal-Igal festival, an event aimed at celebrating the cultural heritage of the Bajau people as well as raising awareness about marine conservation. Located approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Semporna town, the island is a popular destination for tourists exploring the area’s archipelago.

The two-day festival was co-organised by Koperasi Alam Laut Silangau Semporna Berhad (Kopsi) and Future Alam Borneo, a Sandakan-based non-governmental organisation. It featured traditional dances performed by children in vibrant Bajau Laut attire and highlighted the community’s rich cultural traditions alongside the importance of sustainable living and environmental protection.

Officials attending the event included Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry deputy permanent secretary Rimi Repin, who emphasized the cultural significance of the igal-igal dance, describing it as a valuable tradition passed down through generations. Rimi expressed the hope that the dance and other cultural practices would become recognized symbols of Semporna’s identity, attracting visitors both locally and internationally while providing a platform for promoting the region’s cultural and natural attractions.

Anton Ngui, founder and chairman of Future Alam Borneo, outlined plans to rotate the festival across the marine park’s islands in future years. He emphasized collaboration with Sabah Parks to strengthen the environmental focus of the event, underscoring the need to balance tourism growth with conservation efforts.

Semporna faces significant environmental and socio-economic challenges amidst its rising popularity as a tourist destination. The district saw over 560,000 tourists in 2025, with more than 157,000 arrivals recorded in the first four months of 2026, outnumbering its estimated local population of 180,000 to 220,000. This surge has exacerbated issues such as plastic pollution, driven largely by limited access to clean water on the islands and inadequate waste management infrastructure. Locals dependent on the sea for their livelihoods—including fishermen, diving instructors, and boat operators—are directly affected as marine ecosystems degrade.

Ngui highlighted that the Bajau community’s traditional relationship with the sea is under threat, noting that mass tourism has contributed to environmental harm through plastic waste, illegal fishing methods, and social problems including drug abuse and begging. He pointed to a cyclical dilemma wherein Semporna relies heavily on tourism for economic survival but struggles to manage the environmental impact that frequent visitors bring.

Residents reported that waste disposal practices remain problematic, with some individuals disregarding proper refuse collection despite available bins. Adzmin Fatta, senior programme manager of Reef Check Malaysia and co-founder of the local youth environmental group Green Semporna, underscored the need for community-driven change. Fatta advocated for increased local accountability and empowerment, stressing that sustainable development depends on residents taking ownership of environmental stewardship.

Reef Check Malaysia, an NGO dedicated to coral reef protection and marine ecosystem restoration, runs a special programme in Semporna, while Green Semporna engages local youth in conservation efforts through education and outreach. Fatta expressed optimism that these initiatives can help break harmful cycles and foster a future where Semporna’s cultural identity and marine heritage are preserved for generations to come.