Idyllic Semporna cashes in on the culture of stateless sea gypsies
For 28 years Sabah has held the annual Regatta Lepa, a culturally colourful boat race of the Bajau Laut, the sea gypsies or nomads. They hailed from the Southern Philippines but have made the waters off the idyllic resort town of Semporna their home. Next month the regatta will be held from 17 to 19. And as Sabah cashes in on their culture, the Bajau Laut are resigned to their plight of a stateless people. Meanwhile local authorities are tasked to clean up the town, ensure that there’s enough water supply, no power cuts and enough rooms for about 50,000 visitors.
Continue reading “A regatta overshadows the unending plight of Sabah’s boat people”
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