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Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Christina Liew said 138 illegal homes in hotspot areas were demolished.Citing sources from the Police, Liew said some homeowners burned their own dwellings when the operations team was not around in a bid to garner online sympathy.The order to evict comes following a shooting incident in Teluk Darvel and concerns over cross-border criminal activities.
On the water, they reside in wooden houseboats which are only big enough to house necessities or in huts built on stilts. Liew said that authorities have the right to act against illegal activities within protected areas managed by Sabah Parks which is the place where the Bajau Laut people are currently.
Pusat Komas, a rights organisation has requested the government to give the Bajau Laut community alternative accommodation and to deal with documentation problems to guarantee equitable treatment and access to necessary services.