Locals empowered to protect Sabah rivers now reap aquatic bounty

The view of Kampung Tambatuon in Kota Belud, Sabah, is so breathtaking that one constantly gushes in awe.

A large river, Sungai Kadamaian, curls around the village. Towering nearby are the prominent mountains of Kinabalu and Nungkok, with smaller densely forested hills that roll endlessly under the white misty sky.

“Setiap kampung yang ada sungai, mesti jaga ikan (Every village that has a river, must care for its fish),” said Jahim Singkui, 58, chairperson of the Tagal committee in Kampung Tambatuon.

He proudly displayed his phone, containing photos of...