Malaysia's Eviction of Sea Nomads Highlights Their Precarious Existence

Photo : Reuters

Patches of palm thatch entwined with forlorn stilts jutting from the emerald waters off Borneo paint a stark picture of the plight faced by the Bajau Laut, a community of sea nomads in Malaysia. These remnants are all that remains of their homes, as Malaysian authorities have embarked on a campaign to evict them from their long-held territories within a protected marine park. The recent crackdown has not only stripped them of their residences but has also uprooted their way of life.

Robin, a member of the Bajau Laut community, found himself forced to flee with his children on a wooden houseboat, a temporary refuge after officials demolished their home. “I don’t know where to go now,” he lamented from the boat's deck, which he shares with a cousin and eight children. The demolitions targeted structures deemed illegal, leaving families like Robin’s with little hope for the future.

The Bajau Laut community has inhabited these waters for centuries, renowned for their remarkable ability to dive without equipment. However, they are often viewed as migrants by Malaysian authorities, with many lacking the necessary documentation to establish their identity and nationality. This lack of recognition severely limits their access to essential services, including healthcare, education, and financial assistance, thereby perpetuating a cycle of poverty.

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Indasaini, Robin's cousin, highlighted the dire consequences of their displacement, stating, “We can’t buy food because our gold pawn tickets were damaged during the demolition. We have no money. The children are sick, and we don’t have money to buy medicine.” This desperate situation underscores the immediate need for humanitarian assistance and a reevaluation of government policies concerning the Bajau Laut.

Vilashini Somiah, an anthropologist from the University of Malaya, called for a more compassionate approach from Malaysian authorities, emphasizing the necessity for consultations with the community before any evictions or resettlements. She pointed out that past initiatives have failed largely due to a lack of genuine engagement with the Bajau Laut, who are often not seen as integral members of society. “These programs do not work because there's no consultation with them in which you recognize the community as people,” she noted.

Historically, many Bajau Laut families have settled around the islands in the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, a popular destination for divers and tourists. However, escalating security concerns related to cross-border crime and militant activity in the region have prompted the Malaysian government to take action, resulting in the demolition of hundreds of homes. The proximity of the Sulu archipelago, known for the Abu Sayyaf group—linked to piracy and kidnappings—has heightened national security apprehensions.

Robin, like many in his community, lives without official documentation, which complicates his daily life. Although he can trace his family’s history in the area—his grandparents are buried on an islet within the park—he has been stripped of the means to earn a living. Previously, he fished and gathered wood to sell on the mainland, but now those avenues have been closed off.

The Sabah government has stated its commitment to assist those displaced. Chief Minister Hajiji Noor confirmed that the state would seek to relocate the Bajau Laut community to a different coastal area in Semporna. However, the realities of eviction weigh heavily on those affected, as a fifth of the estimated 28,000 Bajau Laut in Sabah are recognized as Malaysian citizens, leaving many without the necessary documentation or recognition.

As Malaysia grapples with its approach to undocumented residents, the situation of the Bajau Laut community has garnered increasing scrutiny. Reports indicated that approximately 45,000 undocumented individuals have been detained by authorities since May 2020. This has sparked discussions among activists advocating for citizenship for the Bajau Laut to ensure their rights and protection, while others express concerns about national security implications.

Bilkuin Jimi Salih, a 20-year-old Bajau Laut youth born in Sabah, voiced the struggles of growing up without official documentation. He spoke of his ambitions to join the police or military but found those dreams thwarted by his lack of identity papers. Bilkuin, who now teaches at Iskul Sama DiLaut—a non-government organization focused on educating stateless children—recognized the systemic barriers that prevent many from achieving their potential. “It’s costly to take a pregnant woman to hospital, and that’s how I realized why I wasn’t born in a hospital,” he explained, recounting the financial difficulties his family faced.

The challenge of gaining citizenship appears formidable due to the Bajau Laut's complex history and the ongoing disputes over resources. Anthropologists emphasize the importance of respectful engagement with the community, urging Malaysian authorities to approach the situation collaboratively and with sensitivity. “It has to be consensual, it has to be respectable,” they stated.

Life without documents is a daily struggle for the Bajau Laut, and Bilkuin captured their aspirations succinctly: “We want to have documents so that our children won’t experience what we’ve been through.” The community’s future remains uncertain, caught in a web of bureaucratic challenges and national security concerns, highlighting the urgent need for a compassionate resolution that recognizes their rights and heritage.

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