Marine Regulatory Technology, Resource Allocation, and Local Exclusion: A Case Study of the Bajau Community in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

Drawing on short-term field observations and in-depth interviews with four residents conducted on February 12, 2026, in a Bajau settlement in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia, this paper utilizes resource access theory to critically examine how technological marine governance, rapid tourism development, and unequal public service allocation jointly shape the life chances of marginalized coastal communities. Globally, indigenous maritime populations face increasing pressures from modernization, yet their specific socio-economic vulnerabilities remain underexplored. The study finds that the community's severe difficulties in accessing clean water, reliable electricity, adequate waste management, and traditional fishing opportunities are not merely the result of outdated or insufficient facilities. Rather, these challenges reflect a profound local exclusion produced through the complex interaction of strict identity registration, rigid spatial demarcation, significant capital barriers, and systemic infrastructure stratification. Although contemporary marine conservation efforts and tourism development initiatives have introduced stricter regulatory systems aimed at ecological preservation, they have unfortunately not been accompanied by stable public services, meaningful channels for civic participation, or viable alternative livelihood support. Consequently, local practices of so-called sustainable development demonstrate a glaring gap between the presence of stringent rules and the absence of adequate social guarantees. Ultimately, this paper argues that modern marine governance must urgently move beyond a single regulatory logic. Policymakers should adopt a comprehensive resource access perspective, actively building more flexible, inclusive links among Indigenous communities' daily survival needs, traditional livelihoods, and institutional eligibility.