This well established trade relationship has been in existence for ages and only started with barter trading between the two countries. The busiest part of this town is no doubt the jetty where vessels and boats referred by the locals as 'kumpit' are anchored.
The morning when the writer visited the jetty, several of the vessels and the 'kumpit' from Sitangkai Island in southern Philippines were berthed there.
NO BARTER TRADE
What's interesting is that even though trading no longer involves the exchange of goods, the transactions with the local traders are still widely referred as barter trade. Even the jetty where the boats drop their anchors is still known as the Sandakan Barter Trade Jetty.
This is probably due to the fact that the locals have become so accustomed to the barter trade term and continue to use it until today.
The jetty is the focal point of the trading activities.
Roslan Ahmad, an officer with the Sandakan Department of Port and Pier, told Bernama that trading between local traders and their counterparts from southern Philippines now only involved cash and the exchange of goods.
Traders are also subjected to the regulations set by the Malaysian authorities including declaring the goods sold and purchased to the Malaysian Customs.
SECURITY INSPECTION A PRE-REQUISITE
According to Roslan, the boats from southern Philippines coming to Sandakan must be vetted by the marine police beforehand. Most of the boats originate from Zamboanga, Jolo Island, Basilan Island, Sitangkai Island and Tawi-Tawi.
Before the Philippine traders drop their anchor at the jetty here, they have to get clearance from marine police at Berhala Island, not far from Sandakan.
Once berthed at the jetty, the travel documents of the skipper and crew will be scrutinized by the Immigration Department and by the Health Department.
TYPES OF GOODS TRADED
The main necessities traded are rice, sugar, flour and cooking oil besides eggs, noodles, furniture and household fixtures.
"The traders prefer to come to Sandakan as it is closer to the islands in southern Philippines besides the fact that the trading link was established since long ago. Sandakan is nearer than Manila for the traders," said Roslan.
"Besides, goods of quality are also the main pull factor for these traders," he said, adding that they seldom sold their own goods here unless there was a demand from the people in Sandakan.
But even then, the small quantity of goods that they bring here are normally cosmetics and marine products.
COME IN GROUPS
On the number of boats that come to trade in Sandakan, Roslan put the figure at 800 to 900 each year. He said the boats would normally come in groups and anchor at the jetty for several days to procure supplies before returning.
The Sandakan barter trade jetty is open from Monday to Friday while on Saturday it operates half day.
The jetty is closed on Sunday. Besides Sandakan, similar trading activities also occur in Tawau involving traders from Indonesia and the Philippines.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY
The purchasing power of traders from the southern Philippines also contributes to Sandakan's economy and keeps the barter trade jetty busy.
A local trader, Pandi Marzuki, 46, said he had been helping his cousin to handle the shipment of goods to Sitangkai Island.Pandi, who lives in Sandakan, said his cousin's 'kumpit' would come to Sandakan twice a month and each trip would take the whole day and night.
"The traders from southern Philippines prefer to get their supplies from Sandakan as the goods here are cheaper. "Furthermore, Sandakan is nearer compared to Manila, which will take two days and one night to reach," he said.
A boat owner from Zamboanga, Suharto, said he normally buy rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil and other items, including mattresses in Sandakan. "We come to Sandakan once a month and each trip takes 30 to 40 hours depending on the weather," he said in fluent Malay.
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