SANDAKAN – The founder of the humanitarian civil organisation Borneo Komrad, Mukmin Nantang, was detained by police under the Sedition Act 1948 at the Semporna police headquarters today.
According to Borneo Komrad member Sabir Syarifuddin, Mukmin was contacted by police a couple of days ago to appear at the police station and provide his statement.
“Mukmin is said to have surrendered himself to police this morning.
“He was informed that he is under investigation for his statements and social media posts regarding the eviction of the Bajau Laut community in Semporna.”
“We were later told about his arrest by the police,” he told Scoop.
However, it was learned that Mukmin was released on police bail with a local surety around 1.30pm today.
In a brief response to Scoop via WhatsApp, Mukmin said that he is now waiting to be called again by the police.
Scoop is currently awaiting confirmation and comments from police.
Mukmin, through his personal and Borneo Komrad Facebook accounts, was vocal in criticising the Sabah authorities for evicting the Bajau Laut community from their homes in Tun Sakaran Marine Park Semporna between June 4 and June 6.
Videos circulated online showed the structures being burned.
However, the Sabah government later denied torching the houses, claiming the scene was staged to garner public sympathy.
Mumin’s social media accounts also posted videos of him giving a talk among the local community in Semporna, stressing that the Bajau Laut community in the district must have access to basic human rights such as education and healthcare and not be evicted from their homes.
Borneo Komrad is a non-government organisation that has been focusing on fighting for the rights of marginalised communities like the Bajau Laut people, particularly in Semporna.
It currently runs three alternative schools for stateless children, one each in Semporna, Tawau, and Kota Kinabalu.
This is not the first time that Mukmin has been detained by the police.
In April 2021, Mukmin and six other activists were arrested by the police after they initiated a peaceful demonstration involving about 30 men to protest the extension of the enhanced movement control order in Kg Muhibbahraya, Tawau. – June 27, 2024.