NGO: Bajau Laut students among arrested at Menara Kinabalu protest

Sabah-based NGO Borneo Komrad founder Mukmin Nantang said nine individuals reportedly arrested by Kota Kinabalu police last night comprise a teacher and eight students from the Sekolah Alternatif, a school for stateless children.

In a Facebook post, Mukmin (above) identified the teacher as Syahfeeq Rondin, who was arrested for bringing the eight unnamed students to Kota Kinabalu.

“The arrested students were born in Sabah and received an education from Sekolah Alternatif since 2017.

"They showed (police) documents including ‘surat lepa’ (Bajau Laut), clinic card, Welfare Department letter, letter from a village chief and student card,” said Mukmin.

Kota Kinabalu district police chief Kasim Muda, who confirmed the arrests, last night said "nine undocumented individuals” were detained following an inspection conducted at the #KamiMahuAirSabah rally outside Menara Kinabalu in the city centre.

Kasim also said Syahfeeq and the students had participated in the protest to highlight the state’s water woes.

Where is the justice?

Mukmin, however, said their presence was part of a larger road tour organised by Borneo Komrad towards forming the “Universiti Alternatif” and “Stateless Union” - both envisioned as platforms to empower the local stateless community.

"These eight students represent hundreds of thousands of marginalised and oppressed children on our land.

“They are willing to risk (arrests) to send a message to Malaysians and the world, to look at Sabah and see this tyranny happening for decades since the formation of Malaysia.

"Where is the justice for the community? This is not just about the latest arrests but the daily arrest and oppression of their community,” he stated.

In stressing that all mankind has the right to education and life, Mukmin said Borneo Komrad will continue to seek the release of those arrested, as well as to ensure the welfare of their family members.

Recently, Mukmin has also alleged that an eviction operation was carried out against the Bajau Laut community living on seven islands in Semporna - Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat, and Pulau Sibuan.

Yesterday, activists piled on the pressure for the government to halt further attempts to oppress the Bajau Laut community, warning that they’ll take to the streets if it continues.

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