Sabah tourism, culture and environment minister Christina Liew said the operation was carried out due to safety concerns following a shooting incident in Teluk Darvel and cross-border criminal activities in the area.

She said eviction notices to the community, involving 273 illegal occupants, were issued from May 2 to 4, Sinar Harian reported.

“The demolition and evacuation of the unauthorised settlements were conducted from June 4 to 6, with 138 illegal settlements in hotspot areas being demolished,” she said in a statement.

Liew said some of the stilt homes were demolished by their owners, while others were abandoned.

“However, according to a source from the police, some owners set fire to their houses when the operations team was not present to gain sympathy and attention on social media,” she said.

Yesterday, human rights group Pusat Komas demanded answers for the eviction of the Bajau Laut community in Semporna.

It cited a claim by NGO Borneo Komrad that the operation targeted those living on seven islands in the region, including Pulau Bohey Dulang, Pulau Maiga, Pulau Bodgaya, Pulau Sebangkat and Pulau Sibuan.

The islands are under the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.

Stressing that the rule of law must be upheld in this matter, Liew said the marine park is gazetted as a state park under Sabah’s Parks Enactment 1984.

“All violations under the Parks Enactment, such as fishing, building structures without permission, and farming, grant Sabah Parks the authority to take action.

“The deforestation on Pulau Bodgaya for agricultural purposes and the unauthorised construction of over 200 structures are also violations of the enactment,” she said.