Profile

Legacy & Lineage

I come from a lineage that traces back over six generations within the Bajau community of Semporna, rooted in Pulau Omadal and the surrounding islands since the 18th century.

From Imam Salamat, one of the earliest known figures in my family line, to Khatib Sarahari, a respected leader in Pulau Omadal and the Semporna Islands, this legacy was built on leadership, service, and a deep sense of responsibility to the community.

It continued through Khatib Gupurani, also known as Buaya Kabang, a figure remembered for defending the region against pirate threats.

In the generations that followed, my grandfather, Haji Abdul Salleh (Si Aggah), played an important role as a local figure and was among those who signed the Cobbold Commission memorandum in 1963, contributing to the formation of modern Malaysia.

My father, Abdullah Sani bin Haji Abdul Salleh, carried this legacy into a new era as both a political activist and a pioneer in the commercial seaweed industry in Semporna in the 1980s. He was a former member of UMNO Sabah and among the individuals involved in bringing UMNO into Sabah during its early expansion.

In the 1999 general election, he contested the N43 Senallang seat in Semporna and came close to winning, but was defeated by Nasir Sakaran. Another candidate in the race was Sabardin Omrah from PBS.

Today, I stand as the sixth generation in this lineage — Aby Al Fahd bin Abdullah Sani bin Abdul Salleh bin Gupurani bin Sarahari bin Imam Salamat.

For me, this heritage is more than history. It is a responsibility to continue a tradition of service, to uplift communities, and to carry forward a legacy that has been shaped over centuries.

About AAFAS

Since I was young, especially around the age of 13, I started to become interested in community work. At that time, I joined a youth club in Semporna, and that was really the beginning of my journey.

One of my earliest experiences was taking part in simple clean-up activities in villages around Pekan Semporna, Sabah. It may look small, but for me, it was meaningful. That moment slowly opened my eyes to the importance of community responsibility, volunteerism, and helping people around me.

From there, my interest in humanitarian and volunteer work continued to grow. I began to feel that this was something I genuinely wanted to be part of, not just as an activity, but as a responsibility.

Growing up in a community surrounded by social and political realities also shaped how I see things. It made me think more about the future of Semporna, especially in terms of economic development, job opportunities, and the quality of life for the people.

My hope is not just to observe change, but to contribute to it. I believe that what we need is a shift in mindset — a new way of thinking that focuses on progress, unity, and long-term development for the community, beyond differences of race or background.

At the core of it, I carry a simple belief: real change begins with small actions. And through my journey, I hope to contribute in some way to the betterment of my community in Semporna, and to Malaysia as a whole.

My Vision

In my vision, I see myself as an ordinary person who grew up in Semporna, witnessing firsthand both the potential and the challenges faced by my community.

I have always been surrounded by a social environment where public affairs and community leadership were part of everyday conversations. Over time, this naturally shaped how I see responsibility and the role of leadership in society.

I do not view public life as something driven by personal gain. In fact, I grew up with the understanding that it is often misunderstood and sometimes disconnected from the real needs of the people. However, through experience, I have come to believe that leadership, whether in any form, should always be about finding solutions.

I am grateful for what I have achieved at a young age. I have been blessed with stability, reached some of my early goals, started my journey in business, and built a foundation that I am thankful for. Because of this, I have never seen success as something that should be pursued through positions or titles.

For me, what matters most is not power or recognition, but contribution and solutions that genuinely improve people’s lives.

I believe that Malaysia, especially Semporna, does not only need political alignment or shifts in power. What is needed more urgently are real, practical solutions that address the everyday challenges of the people.

The reality is simple. People do not wake up thinking about political parties or alliances. They think about the cost of living, job opportunities, the future of their children, and how to build a better life than yesterday.

That perspective has shaped how I understand responsibility toward society.

As someone from Semporna, I deeply respect the contributions of past leaders who have served the community. Their efforts are part of our shared history and have helped shape what exists today.

However, every society naturally reaches a point where renewal and fresh thinking become necessary. For me, renewal does not mean rejecting the past, but building on it in a way that is more relevant to current and future needs.

I want to see young people in Semporna given better opportunities, especially in employment and economic development, so they can build their future without needing to leave the place they call home. I also believe in the importance of a more open, fair, and future-focused mindset.

This is my perspective and the way I see the future of my community.