Memartabatkan Teluk Mengkabong Sebagai Kawasan Pelancongan Lestari Berasaskan Warisan Sejarah dan Ekopelancongan

Abstract

Teluk Mengkabong wujud pada abad ke-16 Masihi dan pahlawannya terlibat mempertahankan wilayah-wilayah di bawah pemerintahan Kesultanan Brunei. “Menang, mereka tidak suka dicanang, tumpas makam tidak terkesan.” Beberapa tapak dan bentuk tinggalan arkeologi di pulau-pulau dalam Teluk Mengkabong menunjukkan perkaitan sejarah ini. Selain kekayaan citra budaya dan tradisi Bajau-Samah, terdapat juga deretan paya bakau dan pulau-pulau kecil serta habitat laut yang sangat berpotensi besar untuk menyokong pembangunan ekopelancongan Teluk Mengkabong. Penyelidikan ini menggunakan kaedah kualitatif dan kuantitatif melibatkan responden terpilih dan kajian arkib serta 116 orang penduduk dan 70 orang kakitangan Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Wujud kesediaan dalam kalangan penduduk untuk menjayakan usaha membangun Teluk Mengkabong sebagai kawasan ekopelancongan yang disokong kuat oleh warisan sejarah. Tetamu luar turut memberikan pandangan yang sama. Usaha sedemikian akan membawa kepada sistem pembangunan pelancongan yang lestari. Sekaligus, menyelesaikan masalah sosio-ekonomi kekurangan peluang pekerjaan dan pencemaran air yang menyelubungi masyarakat di kawasan ini.

Teluk Mengkabong existed in the 16th century and many of its fallen heroes were involved in defending the territories while the area was under the ruling of the Sultanate of Brunei. Several sites of archaeological remains in Teluk Mengkaboong have demonstrated this historical linkage. Having a row of mangrove swamps and surrounded by several small islands with various marine habitats, this particular area is unique and enriched with the Bajau-Samah ethnic culture and tradition, rendering it a great potential for supporting its development towards ecotourism. This research aimed to understand and perceive the acceptance of transforming Telok Mengkabong into an eco-tourism area. We employed qualitative and quantitative methods involving 186 respondents of Teluk Mengkabong residents and staff of Universiti Malaysia Sabah as well as archival input as references. Results show there is willingness and motivation among residents to succeed in developing Teluk Mengkabong as an ecotourism area based on its strong stand as a historical heritage. Similar perceptions were gathered from respondents who are not originating from this place. Hence, coordinated efforts would ensure a successful and sustainable ecotourism project at Teluk Mengkabong. Concurrently, solving the lack of employment opportunities and water pollution problems that the community has to succumb to for the past many years.