‘Stranded’ on land by lockdown, Sabah sea gypsies struggle to survive

KOTA KINABALU – Oblivious to the dangers of the Covid-19 pandemic, Eyda Ladu, who is barely 14, roams the streets of the state capital here together with her five siblings and several cousins, begging for money.

Known as Bajau Laut, or sea gypsies, the children had boarded a bus with Eyda’s mother and travelled nine hours from their boat in Semporna to the city just before the inter-district travel ban was implemented.

With little concern for hygiene and social distancing, their daily routine is hustling shoppers leaving a store in Taman Sempelang, Sembulan, for a meagre sum.

“We have been doing this for the last three months. Myself, my siblings, and seven of my cousins,” said Eyda.

“My father and my cousins’ father have died, so we are together.”

Her mother, Fatima, was a few metres away, nursing an infant and begging for money.

The only Malay words she knew were “tolong, boss” (help, sir).

Fatima and her cousin, Urjun, used to be dishwashers at a restaurant in Semporna, Sabah’s easternmost district, but lost their jobs due to downsizing.

No one wanted to hire Fatima or her children as they, like most Bajau Laut, lack education and have no identification papers due to their stateless status.

The slowdown in business resulting from the pandemic and lockdown has made it even more difficult for them to secure odd jobs.

Mohammad Ali, a resident of Taman Sempelang, said there are usually only a few Bajau Laut folk in the area, but their numbers have doubled since the lockdown.

“They are seen loitering and begging for alms in front of a Muslim kindergarten nearby.

“I can see about 10 of them there. They usually run away when the authorities come. 

“I think they must have a special hideout where they can flee to avoid capture.”

Sabah authorities find that placing the Bajau Laut people in temporary detention centres is futile because once they are sent back to where they came from, they will find their way to the state’s shores again.

Earlier this month, celebrity preacher Ebit Lew claimed to have converted scores of Bajau Laut to Islam.

An observer, meanwhile, said the impoverished community is willing to do anything to get handouts. – The Vibes, February 28, 2021