The recent eviction of the Bajau Laut settlement in Sabah has sparked considerable debate about statelessness in Malaysian Borneo. Disturbing video footage of uniformed personnel destroying the wooden homes of the indigenous sea gypsies has caused outrage and highlighted the difficulties faced by marginalized communities in the region. As tensions continue to rise, activists are threatening to march on parliament to demand recognition and justice for the affected groups.
The Bajau Laut, also known as “sea gypsies,” are renowned for their exceptional diving abilities, able to hold their breath underwater for more than 10 minutes. Despite their remarkable skills, the recent demolition has left them without shelter, pushing them further into vulnerability and uncertainty. Mukmin Nantang, founder of the rights group Borneo Komrad, expressed grave concern for the displaced community, emphasizing their struggle for survival in the wake of the forced eviction.
The plight of the Bajau Laut is further complicated by their status as a largely undocumented and illiterate group, stemming from their nomadic lifestyle at sea. The lack of official recognition and support from the government has intensified their adversity, leaving them exposed and defenseless against further evictions. Mukmin Nantang raised the alarm, stating that hundreds more in the area are at risk of facing similar distressing circumstances without necessary government intervention.
State authorities have cited security concerns as the primary rationale behind the settlement demolition, attributing the action to the need to curb criminal activities and shootings in the surrounding areas. The porous coastal borders of Sabah have reportedly been exploited by economic migrants from neighboring Philippines and Indonesia, creating a complex socio-political landscape in the region.
Despite the state tourism minister’s assertion that the eviction was imperative due to security issues, the move has been met with vehement opposition from activists and locals who argue that the Bajau Laut are not mere migrants but an integral part of the region’s heritage, predating the formation of Malaysia. The stateless dilemma facing the Bajau Laut community has underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive and empathetic governmental response.
The advocacy group Pusat Komas has criticized the federal and state governments for their apparent neglect of the statelessness issue in Sabah, emphasizing that up to a third of the state’s population may be undocumented. Jerald Joseph, Director of Pusat Komas, pointed out the government’s failure to address the underlying complexities of the situation, highlighting the detrimental impact of forced evictions without viable long-term solutions.
The predicament of the Bajau Laut community speaks to broader challenges of statelessness and marginalization, raising fundamental questions about the rights and protections afforded to indigenous and minority groups in Malaysia. As the call for recognition and justice grows louder, the fate of the Bajau Laut hangs in the balance, indicative of a larger humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention and resolution.
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