Bajau Laut eviction: Cops probing Borneo Komrad founder for sedition

Police have summoned human rights activist Mukmin Nantang for questioning under the Sedition Act, believed to be linked to the recent case of Bajau Laut being evicted from their homes in Semporna, Sabah.

Sabah Bersih coordinator Asraf Sharafi said the Borneo Komrad founder was told to be at the Semporna district police headquarters this Thursday.

"We believe this is in connection with the spread of videos showing Bajau Laut houses being demolished two weeks ago.

“Lawyer Sherzali Asli from Sabah Human Rights Centre will be representing Mukmin (above) during the statement recording session," Asraf told Malaysiakini.

Semporna district police chief Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah confirmed that police have called Mukmin to have his statement recorded under the Sedition Act.

"The case is still under investigation," he said in a brief text message.

Mukmin played a key role in highlighting the eviction of the Bajau Laut community in Semporna earlier this month.

He brought to public attention an alleged operation to evict the nomadic people with the authorities demolishing their stilt houses.

The Sabah-based NGO had also shared videos showing the action.

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".

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