Bajau Laut eviction: Rights groups urge Malaysians not to turn blind eye to injustices in Sabah

SHAH ALAM - Malaysia often criticises injustices abroad while overlooking domestic issues, especially those affecting indigenous people, whose rights must be protected and supported as equally as citizens.

Pusat Pembangunan Rakyat (Mandiri) director Wong Kueng Hui said the non-governmental organisation (NGO) strongly condemned the authorities for forcibly demolishing, burning and evicting the Bajau Laut community in Semporna.

He said these were inhumane actions and a clear violation of human rights and the rule of law.

"Malaysia frequently denounces atrocities occurring in other countries, yet turns a blind eye to the injustices happening within its own borders.

"Mandiri urges all Malaysians to #LookToBorneo and witness the oppression faced by the Bajau Laut community in their own homeland.

"Recently, the Prime Minister promised to eradicate extreme poverty by July, this year. However, the cruel actions against the Bajau Laut community, among the poorest in Sabah, reveal the government's hypocrisy.

"Is this the 'poverty eradication' that has been promised, forced evictions and the seizure of their homes?," he said in a statement.

Wong who is also a member of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) said the Bajau Laut community has inhabited the waters of Sabah for generations, long before the existence of Malaysia's national borders.

The former stateless man said yet, the community's citizenship rights and access to basic necessities such as education and healthcare have been systematically denied.

"Now, they are being evicted from their own homeland.

"These actions are not much different from the persecution of the Rohingya in Myanmar, who were brutally evicted and killed.

"Does the Malaysian government intend to repeat such a humanitarian tragedy on its own soil?," he said.

Wong also pointed out that the government frequently promoted the "Malaysia Madani" slogan, which emphasised humanitarian values and justice.

However, he said the treatment of the Bajau Laut community showed that the slogan was mere empty rhetoric.

"Sabah's Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew claimed that eviction notices had been distributed, but this contradicts the statement of the Heritage TSMP/Pewaris Pulau-Pulau Taman Marin chairman, who denied receiving any notice.

"This conflict raises serious questions about the transparency and accountability of the authorities," he said.

Wong also demanded an immediate halt to all evictions and demolitions affecting the Bajau Laut community's homes.

He said the state and federal governments must engage in meaningful dialogues with the Bajau Laut community to find fair and humane solutions, including providing suitable alternative housing.

He added that it was crucial to address their documentation and citizenship issues comprehensively to safeguard their human rights.

"Authorities responsible for these cruel actions must be held accountable and data as well as information related to these evictions should be disclosed transparently to the public.

"The Bajau Laut community's existence predates modern nation-states and borders and their rights must be respected," Wong said.

He also urged all Malaysians to recognise the injustices occurring in Sabah adding that Malaysians should not remain silent over the matter.

"Let us unite in solidarity with the Bajau Laut community, demand justice and ensure their human rights are respected," he said.

Meanwhile, Lawyers for Human Rights in Malaysia also strongly condemned the recent eviction of the Bajau Laut community from seven islands in Semporna.

Lawyers Rajesh Nagarajan and Sachpreetraj Singh in a statement said while some communities received prior notification, many could not understand the notices or comply with them.

These actions, they said blatantly violated Article 5 of the Federal Constitution, which safeguards fundamental human rights, stating that no one shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except in accordance with the law.

"There are reports aplenty, accompanied by photographs of the burning houses of the Bajau people.

"This is violence of the worst kind bordering on barbarism, when the powers that be are burning down the houses of the Bajau people.

"How different are we from the Nazis that perpetrated an attack against their own people named Kristallnacht in 1938?

"The Bajau community has faced systematic discrimination, with their homes and properties burned and destroyed, in stark contradiction to Malaysia's vocal support for the Palestinians' plight.

"Malaysia must stop treating our indigenous people like the enemy and must provide all the support necessary to ensure that their rights as citizens of this country is protected. They deserve nothing less," they said.

On June 4, videos of the demolition of illegal homes built by the Bajau Laut community in waters managed by Sabah Parks went viral on social media, raising concerns about potential human rights violations against the community.

Last week, the state’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry confirmed the operation was lawful and initiated in response to recent shooting incidents in Darvel Bay and cross-border crime within the settlements.