Semporna: A total of 1,800 Pala'u families are expected to be involved in the second phase of a four-day profiling study coordinated by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) involving two islands from today (Tuesday).The islands are Terumbu Sibangkat and Pulau Sibangkat, near here. Esscom Chief Executive Officer, Ruji Ubi said it would be implemented in collaboration with various state and federal agencies, including the Statistics Department, Semporna District Office, Chief Minister's Department, Immigration Department, Registration Department, Sabah Parks, Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Health Department."Based on the data given by Sabah Parks, there are about 273 houses in the area, namely 257 houses in Terumbu Sibangkat and 16 houses in Pulau Sibangkat, predominantly occupied by the Suluk ethnic community and the rest by the Pala'u who are involved in the census process," he said.
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He was chairing a briefing on the Pala'u community's profiling studies at the Semporna District Office.The study aims to determine the actual number of Pala'u in Semporna district, in addition to obtaining basic information on the socio-culture, customs, beliefs and work for the purpose of drawing up a long-term strategy plan to tackle the problems of the Pala'u in the country.
He said the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone), especially in Kunak and Tawau, which are occupied by the Pala'u, will also engage in the profiling studies at a date to be announced shortly.The profiling study will benefit the Pala'u community in terms of assistance from the Welfare Department and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that wished to distribute donations to the group.
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The first phase of the profiling study involved the community's major settlements on Pulau Kulapuan, Pulau Omadal and Pulau Labuan Haji in the same district, which was conducted for three days from March 18.
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Previously, Esscom Commander Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun had warned the Pala'u community not to be exploited by certain quarters to commit crimes such as smuggling of illegal goods and illegal immigrants which could threaten national security especially in ESSZone.
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The Pala'u community also known as 'Sea Gypsies' due to their nomadic way of life still live in boats or in huts on stilts in water with the majority found settled in waters around Semporna, Kunak, Lahad Datu and Sandakan.
