Home Web Specials Who are the Bajau Laut and why destroy their houses?

Who are the Bajau Laut and why destroy their houses?

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Recently, the Bajau Laut community in Semporna, Sabah were evicted from their homes by the authorities. The indigenous stateless population saw their stilt and boathouses demolished and burned down, leaving them with nothing and nowhere to go.

So why was this done? Is it because of national and state security, a reason so often given by the political elites?

Well, a few days after the eviction, news broke that a 21-acre Housing and Urban Development Board (LPPB) land in Kampung Air, Semporna will be turned into a RM478m township to meet tourist demands.

So, what does peace and justice for the Bajau Laut community look like?

BFM speaks to Wan Shakila Adiela Wan Azmi, a member of Borneo Komrad. Borneo Komrad is an initiative of students and young people from Sabah to build social advocacy such as education, culture and human rights. They run a school called sekolah alternatif (alternative school) to empower Bajau Laut children and teenagers.

Produced and presented by: Dashran Yohan

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
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Theres
24 Jun 2024 1.32pm

I remember reading in Tawarikh, history text book, when I was in primary 4, names of ingenious tribes or irang asli of Malaya namely; Sakai, Bajau laut, Senoi and Jakun. It came out in the ujian. I am 62 years old this year.

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