Bajau Laut eviction: How different are we from Nazis, group asks

More groups hurl brickbats at the Sabahan authorities for allegedly tearing down and razing homes belonging to the Bajau Laut community in Semporna.

“It is violence of the worst kind bordering on barbarism when the powers that be are burning down the houses of the Bajau (Laut) people.

“How different are we from the Nazis that perpetrated an attack against their own people in the 1938 Kristallnacht incident?” asked Lawyers for Human Rights in Malaysia in a statement.

On June 6, NGO Borneo Komrad claimed that the Bajau Laut community in Semporna 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 on 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 not allowed to receive education and the right to own land,” Malaysiakini reported him as saying.

The act received condemnation from various quarters, with Pusat Komas urging those responsible to be made accountable for their actions.

Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass”, refers to a violent riot against the Jews carried out by the Nazi party and its allies throughout Germany between Nov 9 and 10, 1938.

Systemic discrimination

On that note, the lawyers’ group said the authorities’ actions breached Article 5 of the Federal Constitution, which safeguards fundamental human rights - stating that no person may be deprived of life or personal liberty except in accordance with the law.

The group added that while some communities received prior notification, many could not understand the notices or comply with them.

“The Bajau (Laut) community has faced systematic discrimination, with their homes and properties burnt and destroyed, in stark contradiction to Malaysia’s vocal support for the Palestinians’ plight.

“Malaysia must stop treating our indigenous people like the enemy and provide all the support necessary to ensure that their rights as citizens of this country are protected. They deserve nothing less.”

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