KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian authorities defended evicting hundreds of sea nomads from their homes off Sabah’s coast. They said it aimed at boosting security and combating cross-border crime.
More than 500 Bajau Laut people saw their homes demolished or burned this week. This stateless sea-faring community lives on houseboats or coastal huts.
Rights groups criticized the Sabah operation, urging the government to halt evictions and ensure the safety of the Bajau Laut.
Sabah’s tourism minister, Christina Liew, stated that authorities could intervene against illegal activities in protected areas controlled by Sabah Parks, a state conservation agency.
She emphasized the need to uphold the sovereignty of the country’s laws in this issue, as stated in a Friday statement.
Last month, Liew stated that 273 unauthorized settlements received evacuation notices. Between Tuesday and Thursday, 138 structures were demolished in hot spots near the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
She noted that the operation, considering security factors like cross-border crime, was conducted in Semporna. Situated on Borneo’s northeastern tip, Semporna borders the southern Philippines.
Despite the controversy surrounding the eviction sea nomads policy, the Malaysian government continues to defend its position.
Ultimately, the debate over the eviction sea nomads highlights the complex balance between security and human rights.
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