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PULAU GAYA, Sabah: Thousands of Filipino immigrants who have been living off the coast of Kota Kinabalu for decades face an uncertain future.
The Mayor of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, had earlier announced his intentions to rid the city of squatters by 2015.
Pulau Gaya, the biggest of five islands located off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, is fringed by stilt houses mostly occupied by Filipino immigrants.
Two-year-old Balelang was born on the sea in one of these stilt houses and had never set foot on land.
Like him, the children in Pulau Gaya are descendants of Bajau Laut. Their grandparents were sea gypsies who once roamed the sea of southern Philippines.
Although they are now living in coastal settlements of Pulau Gaya, a 10-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu, many have never been to school and have no access to basic healthcare, clean water and electricity.
There is also no proper sewerage system.
These water villages of Pulau Gaya have long been considered off limits to locals. Tourists are advised not to set foot on these villages that are regarded as notorious hideouts for criminals and illegal immigrants.
Drugs and smuggled goods including firearms have been found in Kampung Pondo, considered the darkest area of Pulau Gaya.
Bruce, a 17-year-old immigrant, said no Malaysian school will accept him because he has no identification paper.
"The problem is we don't have any identification, not even birth certificate. That's why we can't go to school here."
The same dilemma is faced by hundreds of children born in Pulau Gaya.
Idrus Iduin, who is a boatman, said, "They are born on the sea, not on land or in cities. They are so used to living by the sea. They will fall sick if they can't see the sea and the fishes. They will cry.
"What can we do? We are all illiterates here... We can't even sign our names."
Without a conscientious effort by the Malaysian government to embrace these illegal immigrants, observers said these children are likely to follow the footsteps of their parents and continue a life of poverty.
Their presence off the coast of Sabah will always be seen seen as a threat, contributing to the city's woes. - CNA/fa
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