Govt can help Bajau Laut if they settle down – Jeffrey

KOTA KINABALU (Dec 11): Resolving the challenges faced by the Bajau Laut community hinges on their willingness to settle down and establish a fixed place of residence, according to Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Jeffrey Kitingan.

Speaking at the launch of the “Protecting Semporna’s Marine Environment from Plastic Pollution and Fish Bombing” conference at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) on Tuesday, Jeffrey highlighted the dire living conditions of the Bajau Laut people and the urgent need for sustainable solutions.

He proposed that the Bajau Laut, known for their remarkable maritime skills, could be recognized and empowered as guardians of Sabah’s marine resources once integrated into the community.

“I don’t know whether they will learn how to settle down, but as long as they become nomads and gypsies of the sea and move around, it is difficult to assist them.

“So they have to settle down and have to be connected to a specific place of abode, then they can be considered as part of the community, the Malaysian community. That is the only way to resolve it.

“They have to decide. Otherwise, it is difficult to assist them, because one moment they are here in Sabah, another moment they are away in another country, and they roam around,” he said.

Jeffrey, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry, emphasized that while the Bajau Laut are recognized as “World Citizens” by the United Nations, they can only be issued legal documentation in Malaysia if they choose to settle in one location.

He clarified that the Bajau Laut’s statelessness should not be conflated with issues involving foreign migrants.

“The Bajau Laut are not foreign citizens. They are a unique group of human beings without citizenship, and their plight must be addressed separately from conventional foreign citizenship issues,” Jeffrey explained.

“This should not be politicized. They need a place to settle, but they must also accept the solution. If not, this problem will persist indefinitely,” he added.

In his speech, Jeffrey commended the efforts of the conference’s co-organizers —the German Embassy, Blu Hope and Stop Fish Bombing Malaysia — in tackling critical issues like plastic pollution and destructive fish bombing in Sabah’s waters.

He underscored the economic and environmental potential of a circular economy, where plastic waste is repurposed into valuable products.

“Sabah needs to explore new economic value chains to combat poverty and elevate us to a higher income bracket.

“One opportunity lies in building a circular economy by converting the tons of plastic waste in our oceans into products like construction materials. This is a simple yet brilliant idea, and if scaled up, it could significantly boost Sabah’s GDP while promoting sustainability,” he said.

Jeffrey also emphasized the importance of providing alternative livelihoods for local communities, including the Bajau Laut.

“Instead of resorting to fish bombing, which endangers lives and food security, these communities can have alternative income sources. This strategy could transform the Bajau Laut into guardians of Sabah’s seas and the wider Coral Triangle.

“If successful, Sabah could lead the way in empowering marginalized communities as champions of marine conservation,” he remarked.

The conference featured presentations by experts such as Simon Christopher from Blu Hope, Roberto Benetello from MAREA and Mike Smith from Plazrok, who discussed innovative solutions to plastic pollution.

Representatives from the Fisheries Department, Global Fund for Coral Reefs and Stop Fish Bombing Malaysia also shared updates on fish bombing and marine aquaculture in Semporna.

According to the Fisheries Department, between 2020 and November 2024, Sabah authorities seized RM69,660 worth of exhibits from 1,086 fish-bombing operations, resulting in 68 arrests and investigations.

Raden Siti Ayu from the NGO Iskul Sama DiLaut Omadal shared insights into initiatives providing basic education, healthcare awareness, clean water access and environmental education for marginalized communities on Omadal Island in Semporna.

-Agency