Economic adaptation strategies to the relocation policy of Suku Laut in Lingga, Kepulauan Riau Province, Indonesia

This research aims to analyze the adaptation strategies of the Suku Laut community towards the relocation policy in Lingga Regency, Kepulauan Riau Province. This study is guided by Merton's [1] social adaptation theory, specifically the concepts of retreatism and conformity, to understand the post-relocation community adjustment patterns. The research employed a qualitative method, with data collection techniques including observation, interviews, and documentation. Research informants comprised the Suku Laut community, the local Malay community, and government officials. Empirical findings reveal three economic adaptation patterns among the Suku Laut post-relocation: nomadic, semi-nomadic, and sedentary. The nomadic Suku Laut tend to adopt a retreatism strategy, maintaining traditional nomadic customs, the stability of the sea, and the barter system. Semi-nomadic sea tribes exhibit a synthesis of retreatism and conformity; they still farm the sea seasonally but are involved in the local market economy. The settlement of the Suku Laut reflects a conformity strategy through adopting a market economy, participating in fishermen's cooperatives, and experiencing business diversification. This study affirms that the success of the Suku Laut's adaptation depends on social-economic integration in harmony with local wisdom and ongoing support from government policies.