Bajau Laut in Semporna allegedly evicted, homes demolished

The NGO Borneo Komrad claimed that the Bajau Laut community in Semporna, Sabah, was evicted by the authorities and their stilt houses were demolished.

Borneo Komrad founder Mukmin Nantang alleged that the operation was carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Bajau Laut community living on seven islands in Semporna, including Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat and Pulau Sibuan.

“The authorities arrived yesterday (Tuesday), demolishing and burning their homes to drive them out. They are considered undocumented migrants and squatters who build houses on water.

“In reality, they are indigenous to the area, but are not allowed to receive education and the right to own land,” he told Malaysiakini yesterday.

The Bajau Laut practise a nomadic lifestyle at sea, living in small boats or houses built on stilts at the coast or in shallow waters.

This community has been plagued by longstanding statelessness, preventing them from accessing education and subsidised healthcare at government facilities.

Earlier yesterday, Borneo Komrad shared several video recordings regarding the alleged evictions on X.

One video showed several men pushing a dilapidated house until it collapsed, and another showed a woman lamenting the loss of her home and pleading for mercy from the “authorities”.

Mukmin further claimed they were now left with nothing as their homes and boats were burnt.

“Their boats were also burnt, so they do not know where to go,” he said.

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