This chapter is part of the book Human rights and the environment: A Southeast Asian perspective and studies the problems faced by the Orang Suku Laut community that had to change their way of life.

Abstract

As a maritime-oriented culture community, the Orang Suku Laut (OSL) have deep knowledge of marine ecosystems and have developed sustainable cultural, fisheries, and coastal ecosystem management practices. However, in the context of intensive and exploitative national development plans for coastal and small island resources, their existence is increasingly marginalized at various levels.

This research analyzes how the development process in Indonesia has affected the livelihood and culture of the OSL in the Lingga Regency post-sedentarization. This chapter focuses on the marginalization the OSL experience, both in terms of access to natural resources, legal recognition, and participation in decision-making. In the Anthropocene context, shifting power dynamics and rapid social and environmental changes contribute to the knowledge and rights transition of OSL. The development discourses in the Lingga Regency have led to marine appropriation, which takes away the basic rights of OSL. There is an important need for more effective and equitable policies and programs that support the rights, livelihoods, and cultural integrity of these unique and vulnerable communities.

Author

Wengki Ariando

Book

Human rights and the environment: A Southeast Asian perspective

31-05-2026

Read more