The former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, has suggested the government of Sabah to demolish all the water villages in eastern Sabah and resettle only the local people there as the era of the water villages has passed and the lifestyle of the villagers there who live in the sea is not appropriate for the modern way of life in Malaysia as the nation aims for Vision 2020.
Mantan Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad telah menyarankan pemerintah Sabah untuk menghapus semua desa air di timur Sabah dan memukimkan kembali masyarakat lokal di sana kerana era desa air telah berlalu dan gaya hidup warga desa di sana yang tinggal di laut tidak cocok untuk cara hidup modern di Malaysia sebagai bangsa yang bertujuan untuk mencapai Visi 2020.