COMMENT | The forced evictions of the Bajau Laut community in Tun Sakaran Marine Park have spotlighted the complex balance between conservation efforts and the rights of indigenous peoples.

As homes were demolished and lives disrupted, the well-being of the Bajau Laut community was severely tested. This incident underscores the urgent need for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to conservation, one that respects both the environment and the people who have traditionally stewarded it.

The Bajau Laut: A legacy of the sea

The Bajau Laut have a rich history deeply intertwined with the marine environments of Southeast Asia.

Traditionally, they have lived a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving with the seasons and tides and relying on the ocean’s resources for sustenance and livelihood.