LIFE ON PULAU KALAPUAN OFF SEMPORNA, SABAH, NEAR THE MARINE BORDER WITH THE PHILPPINES. IT IS INHABITED BY SEA GYPSY BAJAU LAUT AND THEIR MORE SETTLED COUSINS, THE BAJAU DARAT. MOST RESIDENTS MAKE A LIVING FROM FISHING. THERE ARE NO SCHOOLS AND CLINICS FOR THE KAMPUNGS 300 PLUS RESIDENTS.
RECENTLY, many celebrities took to the stage at Istana Budaya in support of the Rohingya people. According to press reports, this was done to raise awareness and support for humanitarian causes and peace around the world with a focus on the Rohingyas in Myanmar.
But while we look at the plight of the Rohingyas, we must also consider the state of the Bajau Laut who have existed on the seas off the east coast of Sabah for hundreds of years. They are stateless and their children are facing tremendous difficulties. Opinions differ on their origin with one legend saying they came from Ujong Tanah (Malay peninsula), another says they are from Indonesia while yet another points towards the Philippines.
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