SINCE BIRTH TILL DEATH, WHAT IS THEIR STATUS: A CASE STUDY OF THE SEA BAJAU IN PULAU MABUL, SEMPORNA

Abstract

Sabah is known as the land below the wind and has gained independence through the formation of
Federation of Malaysia in 1963. Although it has gained independence for 47 years (1963-2010), there
is still a question on the status of citizenship such as the citizenship of the Sea Bajau or Pala’u who
has exist since the Sulu Sultanate reign and now most of them reside on boats along the coast and
islands of Sabah. In conjunction with this reality, this article will re-observe the questions focusing
on the Sea Bajau who are still living on boats and are categorized as the stateless people in Pulau
Mabul.