Struggles of the Samabajau: Stateless and Marginalized

This chapter examines the challenges faced by the Samabajau, a stateless community in the South China Sea, highlighting their historical lifestyle and current plight. Through the poignant story of a villager in Pulagaya, it reveals the devastating effects of statelessness on identity, healthcare access, and community cohesion. Despite the efforts of NGOs and the UN, the chapter underscores the ongoing discrimination and hardships these indigenous people endure amid geopolitical tensions and restrictive policies.