A THINK tank has called into a probe into the treatment of the Bajau Laut community, whose homes were demolished, amid claims that the houses were also set on fire.
The Social and Economic Research Initiative said the episode must be investigated.
There were earlier reports that hundreds of Bajau Laut in the Semporna district, including Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat, and Pulau Sibuan, lost their homes following demolishment by the authorities, citing concerns of security and cross-border crime.
“While eviction notices were issued, the demolition and burning of houses have fallen short of upholding the human rights and dignity of these marginalised communities. Such actions not only violate fundamental human rights but also perpetuate the cycle of marginalisation and discrimination towards any community,” it said in a statement.
The Bajau Laut community, a subset of the Sama-Bajau ethnic group, originates from the Sulu Sea and surrounding regions.
They are called “Pala’u” or “Pelaut,” a cognate for sea gypsies, because of their nomadic and seafaring traditions.
Over time, socio-economic pressures have prompted some families to give their their maritime lifestyle to live in coastal settlements.
Despite their historical ties to the region, the Bajau Laut face challenges regarding their legal status.
In Sabah, lacking formal citizenship rights in Malaysia, they are often labelled “stateless” and vulnerable to poverty and discrimination.
The authorities in Sabah denied setting fire to the homes of sea nomads during the recent eviction exercise.
A statement from the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry said police personnel present at the time saw some of the homeowners setting fire to their own houses during the demolition exercise..
It said it was done to gain attention and sympathy.
“The state should establish a special committee dedicated to addressing the unique challenges and needs of the Bajau Laut community in Sabah and engage in dialogue sessions to develop sustainable solutions to address their needs and concerns. We also urge the state to take immediate steps to rectify any injustices inflicted upon the affected individuals and provide them with necessary support and assistance, especially relocation to alternative housing, access to proper healthcare, and education for the displaced community,” said the think tank.
“We also note the concerns on border security raised by local authorities but such concerns cannot override that of human rights and dignity,” it added. – June 13, 2024
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