'Owners burnt their homes to get sympathy': Liew explains Bajau Laut community eviction in Semporna
Published on: Friday, June 07, 2024
Some homeowners burned their houses to go viral, said the Sabah tourism minister. (File pic)
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew has explained the recent eviction of the Bajau Laut community in Semporna which received criticisms from many quarters.
According to sources from the police involved in the operation, some homeowners burned their houses during the absence of the operations team in the area for the purpose of going viral on social media and garnering sympathy and attention from netizens, said Liew in a statement.
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"This operation was carried out due to security issues at the district level, following shooting incidents in Darvel Bay and cross-border criminal activities in the unauthorised settlement locations. The sovereignty of the nation's laws in force in this issue must be upheld," she said.
From the perspective of compliance with the Parks Enactment 1984, Liew said the area involved, the Tun Sakaran Marine Park, is one of the areas proclaimed as a park area or a state park.
Any violations of provisions under the enactment, such as fishing, erecting structures without permission, and farming, empower Sabah Parks to take actions accordingly, she added.
"The issue of deforestation on Bodgaya Island for agricultural purposes and the construction of over 200 structures without permission is an example of a violation against the enactment."
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