Eight houses demolished in sudden Semporna raid

Authorities demolished at least eight homes on two islands within the Tun Sakaran Marine Park in Semporna, Sabah in a sudden operation today.

Borneo Komrad founder Mukmin Nantang told Malaysiakini that villagers alerted him earlier this morning.

“Last week, the authorities instructed the villagers to evacuate their homes and handed them two documents citing the Park Enactment 1984, which outlined the rules and offences related to trespassing or damaging state parks.

“Suddenly, this morning, at least four authority boats were seen, causing panic, and that’s when they began their operation,” he said.

Mukmin added that the affected houses were on Pulau Tetagan and Pulau Bodgaya, belonging to the undocumented Bajau Laut and Suluk community.

"The villagers informed us that the authorities used chainsaws to demolish two houses in Kampung Boheybual on Pulau Bodgaya," he said.

'Illegal settlements'

Sabah Parks director Maklarin Lakim confirmed that an operation was conducted to evict “illegal settlements” within the park.

"Yes, (it was carried out) by the Semporna Security Action Council. Bodgaya Island is a protected marine park. There should be no village there," he said.

Acting Semporna district police chief Fauzi Abd Kadir stated that the operation will continue within the Sabah parks area until Wednesday.

He added that the operation was led by the Parks and District Office, with his team assisting to ensure the safety of the enforcement officers involved.

"Today, a total of 15 houses were demolished. No arrests were made.

“The operation was carried out after the expiration of the 14-day notice period issued for offences under Section 48(1),(j), and (p) of Park Enactment 1984 (Amendment) 2007 in the Bodgaya Waters area," he told Malaysiakini.

Similar incidents were reported on June 6, when the Bajau Laut community living on seven islands in Semporna were told to vacate their stilt houses, which were eventually demolished by the authorities.

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