KUALA LUMPUR – The self-proclaimed heirs of the Sulu Sultanate have expressed disappointment over the Sabah state government’s decision to evict hundreds of Bajau Laut residents from their homes.
Matthew Pajares-Yngson, the ambassador for the family, said that the community has lived in the region for centuries, considering it their ancestral land.
He lamented that the Sulu Sultanate is “heartbroken” by the authorities’ failure to provide the evicted Bajau Laut residents an opportunity to rebuild their lives elsewhere.
He also voiced concerns about their stateless status, which leaves them without access to protection and healthcare.
“From the Royal House of Sulu’s standpoint, the eviction of the Sama-Bajau in their ancestral lands is most concerning.
“These underprivileged indigenous people have been living in that part of the world for many centuries causing no harm to the environment nor those around them.
“They are poor fisherfolk living day to day and for the Malaysian government to destroy what little they have is deeply saddening,” Matthew said in a statement to Scoop.
Last week, authorities conducted eviction operations against the Bajau Laut community living on seven islands in Semporna, including Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat, and Pulau Sibuan.
Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew confirmed that 138 illegal houses were demolished between June 4 and June 6, drawing significant public backlash.
In response to the criticisms, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor promised that the state government would assist the Bajau Laut community members who had their homes destroyed.
The majority of the Bajau Laut are stateless sea nomads, living offshore in wooden houseboats or huts built on stilts in the Semporna district of Sabah.
Most Bajau residents do not possess identification documents, rendering them unable to access basic facilities such as education, financial, or health services. – June 12, 2024
