However, over the years the people began to abandon their traditional economy in favour of more modern occupations.
Youths began to take up jobs in other industries and chose to pursue careers in the public sector.
This was despite the efforts of various elected representatives to revive agriculture, particularly one-time state agriculture minister and current Pantai Manis assemblyman Rahim Ismail.
“When I was the agriculture minister, we did a lot for this sector in Papar. We built modern irrigation systems and assisted the farmers.
“All this was made possible because of the close relationship between the state and federal ministries,” he said.
But in spite of his efforts, the seemingly inevitable decline of the sector he loved so much continues.
Unwilling to take up their parents’ arduous task of toiling in the fields, the younger generation have turned their backs on agriculture.
A survey among the youths in the district showed that more than 80% preferred to work in air-conditioned offices, even if it meant hiring themselves out at manufacturing plants in the peninsula – as long as they do not have to work as “mere farmers”.
The remaining 20% said they had no choice as farming was their only means of economic survival.
Rahim, too, had no choice but to go with the flow.
Now, he sees tourism as a potential new growth industry for the area.
“The distance between Papar and Jesselton Point in Kota Kinabalu is only about half an hour by boat. By road, it’s about 45 minutes.
“This means Papar is easily accessible and has the potential to be developed into a tourist destination because we have many products to offer,” he said.
The Pantai Manis beach was once a favourite among locals who would go there for swims or picnics. Songs were even composed about it.
Due to the development of tourism in other parts of the state, the beach fell into relative obscurity over the years.
However, Rahim believes the time is right to renew interest in it by promoting its potential as a site for resorts and hotels, to meet popular demand for seaside vacations in the state.
“As foreign tourists continue to flock to Sabah, we have found ourselves with the urgent problem of accommodating them. We simply do not have enough hotel rooms.
“Papar can be reached by sea, road and rail. If we can develop our seaside areas for resorts, it would do wonders for the economy here,” he said.
Efforts to attract tourists to Papar have already started in earnest, with the development of tourist attractions such as the Borneo Cultural Village in Kawang, the Dinawan island resort, the steam train ride and many others.
Once the Pan Borneo Highway is complete, a new township in Kampung Gana will be built to provide a stopover for travellers and tourists heading north or south.
Rahim’s constituents have also enjoyed the benefits of new facilities, including the expanded district hospital, new sports complex, new roads, new townships, and modern buildings to complement the quaint old wooden shophouses.
When asked on his chances of being re-elected, Rahim said he was confident the electorate would continue to support Barisan Nasional (BN), particularly Umno, as the people were familiar with their leaders.
“We go to the ground. We meet them at weddings, funerals, religious events and festivals. They are comfortable when talking to us and they see us as their representatives.”
Rahim won the Pantai Manis seat in the 2013 general election by defeating PKR’s Fred Gabriel with a 4,409-vote majority. Rahim polled 9,639 votes.
Later that year, Gabriel left PKR to form Parti Pembangunan Warisan Sabah, which was taken over by former Umno vice-president Shafie Apdal and renamed Parti Warisan Sabah in 2016.
‘We have nothing to lose’
Rahim said this coming election would be intense, and that the competition was expected to come from local opposition parties, particularly Warisan.
“But we are ready. Our machinery is well-oiled.
“You know, we have nothing to lose. It could even be the last battle for us all. So, we are going all out.”
His concern is not unfounded as Warisan leaders have already started their campaigns in various parts of the constituency.
They remind the people of BN’s unfulfilled election promises made five years ago, such as better pay for religious teachers, neglected roads, and their personal beefs against Rahim.
Warisan has attracted thousands of people through roadshows in Papar, even when the talks were organised in areas where voters traditionally chose BN.
Whether this is indicative of support or mere curiosity will be seen come election day.