The uncertain future of Batam’s sea people
The uncertain future of Batam’s sea people
The Orang Laut are sea nomads who roam the Malacca Strait and the waters off the eastern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Mr Saiyun, 60, told us about his younger years, when the Orang Laut of the Riau Islands used to row their boats all year round, travelling from one island to the next. “We were born at sea. We raised our children at sea. We even had weddings at sea."
But this way of life is now fast disappearing due to pollution, competition from more advanced fishermen and climate change.
With their catch dwindling, some cope by working on land as part-time trash pickers.
