The government in weak control of the police over Refugees

VOCR

28th Feb, 2010

Kuala Lumpur

Highly anti-corruption, carrying out the national task-forces. Is this what you picture when you think about the responsibility of police? Of course, it is. Everybody do. But it is time to re-examine your notions about the police disciplines in Malaysia, which has been regarded an excursive system of moments practiced the nationwide-not quite serious problem you might have imagined out of your seat. No justice. No rightfulness. Extortion, stopping and questioning for long in purpose of money in public is most popularized in the act of police. Is this a training that they learned and are taught to do so? Perfectly, I won’t be able to accept that concept. Perhaps it might be possible to deceptively misinterpret a series of movements, which they have to initiate, choreographed into a daily routine. Probably, there may be a thing that taught them to be like beggars in the streets.

It is, in a sense, true that they have to control the overflooding of illegal ones as citizen servants. However, it is not much rightful to take any violated actions towards a recognised refugee who have been well-protected by UNHCR. A mere checking anybody in the streets or in any occasions is condonable and is accorded with their job so as to manipulate over people of illegal and drug smugglers.

 

But the intention of getting money easily sparks extorting refugees which is seen inhumane cruelty in principle for all. Consequently, it creates a very bad name for the Nation, too. And it did. When it comes to such headache problem, it is always and all time figuring out to the responsible body. Is extortion and playing refugees the custom of police in Malaysia? Absolutely not. And if so, who is responsible for this corrupted series of movement? You would rather blame the citizens or the police themselves in this claimed democratic country, wouldn’t you? Not in that way. That should be more concerned with the central government policy, in my sincere point of view.

Ironically, tickled some scopes, the flow of Asian region politics is more resembling as the saying here; “the apple never falls down far away from its tree”. At best, police must understand the key influential laws, policy and their roles in ways that always prevent them from power abuse and any abusive activities even if they are lack of politics interest. Apart from the extremist groups, all in the globe would be in the common sense adopting the idea that police and soldiers are the sons of the government.

 

They are set and laid under the ultimate control of the government. Yet, what happening here in Malaysia over refugees is a very severe thing that that is why it’s been time for the call of international consideration. Truth, as in charters of U.N, a refugee should be protected properly in any related country. It would be very good to notice that refugee running away to Malaysia is not because of the good care of the Malay government, but because of the concerns of UNHCR. No matter what happens, thanks go to the government upon the recent consideration shown off in the eyes of public media. So sad, many police are in need of pursuing the English language education to be clear in mind. Maybe, that’s a part of their own understanding towards what’s the real things they have to carry out in the country.

Most notably, the idea that government can somehow be cajoled into becoming a “responsible power-holder”, as vociferated at the human right abuse over refugees by the internationals. In fact, hiding the truth can never be prevailed.

 

Amending the broken laws and the corruptions and preparing the new systematic and strategic policy in which they can gain the new glorious face in the globe is what then most makes people considering. So far, the patterns and ups and downs of politics storming in the country are more or less giving the impact on lives of refugees in both negative and positive ways. At last not the least, it is a deep sad that extortion and arresting in advantage of money is constantly ongoing.

 

There’re a dozens of people who had and have sacrificed all the money along with the valuable that they got from the odd jobs. Still, many are in line sacrificing all they have to the police that doesn’t mean all the police nationwide but the corrupted. The last simple question here is what should be done for the building of the better future of recognised refugees?

Government may allow refugees to work

By MAZWIN NIK ANISmazwin@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: The government is considering allowing the 80,000-odd refugees to work in the country.

The Home Ministry and Wisma Putra are expected to discuss the issue following calls from many sectors asking the government to allow the group to work here while waiting to be resettled in third countries.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hisham-muddin Tun Hussein said the matter was being considered because the refugees’ stay in Malaysia was only temporary.

“The suggestion might work but we need to look at it from all angles.
“The implications need to be made known before we decide. “My ministry cannot decide on this alone. We will engage the Foreign Ministry and probably even foreign missions as well as other relevant authorities to get their views,” he said yesterday.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said the government needed to weigh all the pros and cons before implementing the new policy.

“We have to study this in detail. It will benefit the country if refugees with certain expertise are allowed to work while they are here,” he said.

Several parties, including the Malaysian Trades Union Congress have called on the government to allow refugees to work, particularly in labour-strapped sectors, instead of importing more foreign workers.
This would help to overcome the worker shortage and, at the same time, gain Malaysia international recognition as a humane country.
Refugees who are waiting to be resettled to third countries are not allowed to work but can take on odd-jobs.

The government announced recently that it planned to issue identification cards to refugees so that they would not be arrested as illegal immigrants.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.aspfile=/2010/2/22/nation/5692963&sec=nation

The 62nd Chin National Day Celebration in Malaysia

VOCR

20th Feb, 2010

Kuala Lumpur

 

Chin traditional wrestling is launched in advance of our national day in 19^th of Feb, 2010 in Chinese Assembly Hall in Malaysia. Over dozen of hundreds of Chins are attended in that advanced celebration amidst the fear of police arrest. It is mainly chaired by HPH (Hakha Peng Hawikomhnak) and the event is accompanied by volunteered singers from Hakha community. Truth, it is the first and ever event done in Malaysia within nearly a decade. Cheerfully welcome and applause from the fun are permeated throughout the hall at the same time.

In part of wrestling game, only group of eight mostly from Hakha; such as

1. Hakha Khuahlun
2. Hakha Khuathar
3. Hniarlawn
4. Hakha Cawbuk
5. MI-E
6. Zo Khua Peng
7. Bungtuah.
8. Chuncung

The 62nd Chin National Day wrestling competition trophies

According to HPH chairman, game were divided into group versus group and challenge game. In group versus group competition, the first 64 wrestlers were competed and each match is limited for 10 minutes only for many are waited ahead. In this group versus group challenged competition, Hakha Old Town achieved first prize and second prize was won by MI-E team.

Around 70 wrestlers were about to be participated in this challenged game that 8 wrestlers could only participate in group versus group that two from each group can specially represent their groups in the challenged competition which is very similar to the knock-out style and two of the best play the final game and the winner will be crowned the trophy.

Shortly, after group versus group game is over, the crucial open challenge matches are started at 5:00 PM and two best wrestlers from each team competed. In the challenge match, the best wrestler ever in Chin state Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn and Salai Tin Lian Thawng from Hakha Old Town team were participated. After all the best wrestlers on this day clashed, the two well-known Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn and Salai Tin Lian Thawng encountered in final match. As the funs were anticipated to watch the duo match, sound of applauding, shouting with their name and roaring is swirling throughout the hall.

The best two wrestlers tackling in final match

Just before the final match started, a young Lai singer Miss Emily performed on the stage the Lai native love song to inspire the fun and to refresh all wrestlers.

At around 7:30 pm, the hall was overwhelmed with applauds and shouts as the final match started. Two of the best and strongest wrestlers from Hakha Old Town team, Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn and Salai Tin Lian Thawng against with their best to win the trophy. The audiences were satisfied to watch and see the exciting as the two wrestlers have equal skill. After many rounds drew, a Chin wrestling competition at Chin State in 2007 champion Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn conquers his arch rival Salai Tin Lian Thawng and wins the champion trophy.

2010 Champion of wrestling competition in Malaysia Salai Aung Kyaw Lyn (center) taking a photo with his friends

In playing our owned traditional wrestling game, skills as well as strength are mostly needed as it is definitely different from the Wrestling that the world knows. As a matter of fact, it is meant for maintaining our only culture, especially for diasporas, having been failed to do it for years in Chin community in Malaysia as we, Chins are clear in the common mindset that we have such a very peculiar tradition which is worthwhile fostering.

In order to happen this event which is aimed at making the world known that we are of a People with colorful cultures and traditions owned, financial effort for renting hall and stage building is made by groups participated and solely by HPH. Honestly and deep, it is a tough task to be done as for communities with refugee-status for the event but it is a sweating endeavor by no means. Partly, tickets for entry are sold out on first-come first-serve basis that helps solve financial shortcut. The total expense is estimated nearly about Rm10, 000 but the income is not calculated yet.

Vision Statement for the Event

First and foremost, we can see there a meaning and purpose in every planned thing as history exists. Small though it is, maintaining the culture is, as mostly important for all times, a key role in which we intentionally plan this event on as the following;

1. bolstering and nurturing the motherland owned-culture
2. uplifting nationalism by upkeeping this specified tradition
3. preserving it every year continuously, esp, for those of living in Malaysia.

Thus, the common purpose for which we are fighting for will be partly impacted by holding this kind of priceless event up as it is believed that it can help the harmony and unity more be visibly seen in each of our community.

By Salai C C, Simon, Patrick

Refugees living in fear of extortion, robbing and arrest

19th Feb,2009

Kuala Lumpur

The new bundle of raids can make a chronic fear in lives of refugees who are still assumed as illegal body. Lately raiding is dramatically high everywhere. Dozens of refugees already recognized by UNHCR were extorted and robbed all the property they had that’s a sweating and bloody money they earned from hard-labor, including their phones which are mostly bought in order for the contact from UNHCR office. Many left it unreported because they know that nothing will come out even if they make it reported since refugees in Malaysia are seen illegal and like the pocket money of the police and RELA who are unpaid as announced by the state-run media accordingly. Raised simple questions towards this speculation, are refugees the coined-box of police and RELA?

On contrary, worse, young gangsters arising are another chapter of horror for refugees in Malaysia. Young girls have been befriended malevolently for awhile and given drugs for seducing sex.

Consequently, many have been raped. Everyone is on alert and careful in this problem, though. We can say here that young girls are in unsafe situation. At worst, it is knowingly unsalvageable and prevention is seemed impossible at all times. Very few police don’t dare to extort and rob in public as they try best to control their faces at a time while many don’t see that is what most matters. It is said in a saying that fish is good whereas the water is clean. If a refugee is arrested, it is as a liquid-dinner for police. And, the one who is with a refugee status has no right to say anything towards them but to just do and listen to whatever they are accused of. Knowing life in Malaysia is downtrodden deepens a double depression and sickness unconditionally. The nail-baking earning money from a hard-labor that is mostly used for food and in terms of emergency for health and social relations and for visiting relatives, too.

So, why are they working for pay if they are not still recognized by the government? Of course, no choice they have to work because UNHCR can not support every single family of refugee but the essential cases. No one will to work under a big pressure and with absence of freedom. Thanks to Chinese bosses that many of them accept refugees for work that totally does mean that they are helping them solve their problems for food and living. Without them, no doubt they have to lie down on the streets. Even so, police are always triggered extorting and robbing which is the same as a fact that collecting money like an offering at Church. A man purposefully trying to visit to relatives on the down road can be found in detention center or the jail when he is found with no money while being caught and interviewed by the police that immediate result is solvable if money is with him.

(This photo was taken on December,2009. A police man stopped this Chin refugee and extorted his money)

In all aspects, all of refugees in Malaysia are in position of unsafe and uncertain future. The vast majority of fear is if refugee can be resettled in third countries or left unprotected and supplied like this situation for generations and generations. The local media is seemed vividly unaware of being in need to explain how the status between refugee and illegal is different from. The local media agency groups and NGOs are deeply urged to more mention the awareness of refugees internationally and locally.

So far, the inner cries of refugees in Malaysia hardly heard by the world less than it should be. Making an effort to cover the human right abused over refugees in Malaysia is not making the better solution for the dignity of the nation in face of the globe. In fact, it is decaying the devastated politics storming in the nationwide and that has been deep-rooted. In an attempt to gain the dignity of the nation, the Malay government should take actions towards these corrupted happenings everyday. It’s not too late to amend building a new paradigm.

However, it is not so sure of how the government will clear up this havoc. We, therefore can not get over the ASIAN politics virus which is making things worse and complicated more instead of making things solved and progressive for the betterness of the citizens. We all are far more left behind compared with the West. Road to keeping pace with the West is long long to go. But never give up...!! The future is in our enthusiastic hands.

by Simon

Mechanism to monitor illegals, put ‘fear into them’

Posted by VOCR

By ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD

PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry is devising a mechanism that would enable the authorities to monitor “each and every foreigner” from the moment they enter the country till the day they leave.

Its minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the ultimate purpose was to create an environment where foreigners without legal status would “feel afraid and threatened and prepare to leave the country immediately.”

He said the new mechanism would entail upgrading the current database system to enable checks on the status of foreigners to be conducted anywhere and anytime.

“The number of foreigners claiming to be tourists and workers here does not tally with our records.

“The huge presence (of illegals) not only (leads to) social and security problems but also tarnishes the image of the country and makes genuine tourists feel uncomfortable,” he said after personally driving through the city during the Chinese New Year break to see for himself the situation in the federal capital.

Hishammuddin, who described the situation as “unusual and worrying,” said a majority of the foreigners were not tourists and claimed to be employed legally in the country.

“Obviously our enforcement efforts need to be further reinforced with comprehensive monitoring that can only be established with an integrated database system.

“This initial proposal (for the new mechanism) would be tabled at the Cabinet Committee on Foreign Workers and Illegal Immigrants meeting next Monday,” he said.

The committee, comprising 13 ministries, is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Hishamuddin said the current conventional method of keeping tabs on foreigners, including conducting raids, has to be improved.

“We also need to see if laws need to be amended, as well as implementing other new measures,” he said.

Last year, the authorities carried 7,099 operations against illegals which saw 47,310 people being detained, including 26,545 cases of illegal entry and 8,655 of over-staying

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/2/16/nation/20100216143416&sec=nation

US pressure bodes ill for Burmese migrants

JJ Kim

Feb 15, 2010 (DVB)–Thousands of undocumented migrants in Malaysia, many of whom are recognised refugees from Burma, are likely to be arrested in coming weeks following heavy pressure from the US to eradicate human trafficking.

Malaysia’s immigration department is to clamp down on the employers of undocumented migrants in the constructing and manufacturing sectors, charging them under the Anti-Trafficking Persons Act (APTA). According to local worker rights groups, thousands of migrant workers will be detained in the process without charges while those deemed victims of human trafficking will be deported to Burma.

The shift in policy, announced in January, comes after increased pressure from the US on Malaysian authorities to bring a halt to the selling of foreign nationals for commercial exploits, such as labour and prostitution. Since the US senate publicised a report on the issue in April 2009, human trafficking has been curbed massively. However, raids and arrests continue and are expected to soar once the upcoming crackdown is underway.

According to community-based organisations working with Burmese migrants, detention facilities and prisons across the nation are already severely overcrowded since detainees are no longer being deported via traffickers. It is estimated that there are currently between 4,000 and 5,000 Burmese men, women and children in detention, compared with around 2,000 in April and less than 3,000 in August.

Pranom Somwong, who has more than 10 years’ experience working with Burmese migrants in Thailand and Malaysia, is now coordinator of Workers Hub For Change (WH4C) and Network for Action on Migrants in Malaysia (NAMM), based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital.

“Before, [immigration] would deport migrants to the Thai border, where they would often pay and be freed, but now, because of the huge allegations about trafficking, migrants from Burma are piling up in detention centres and have to be there for many months.” she said.

“But now, when migrants should come out of detention they have to spend 550 MYR [$US160] to go through the Burmese embassy and proceed back to Burma. If they don't have money they end up in detention for a longer term.”

Many of these detainees have now been held for over six months, a few for more than two years. They reportedly live in sub-standard conditions and are often subject to abusive treatment by guards. Figures from August 2009 show that five out of the nation’s 13 detention centres were over-populated, some holding twice their capacity. Disease is widespread, and according to reports in the Malaysian media, deaths average as high as 18 per month. Local groups say that there are also high death rates among ex-detainees shortly after their release due to malnutrition and unhygienic living conditions.

Among those held are refugees who have been registered by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They are indiscriminately arrested by Malaysian authorities although can often gain freedom more easily with the help of the UN agency.

In April 2009, Aung Soe Win, a registered refugee, was arrested along with his friend, Maung Twa,n during two consecutive raids on a restaurant where they worked. Whilst being held at Putrajaya immigration office for an extended period, Maung Twan became severely ill and died.

“The place we were held was very bad,” Aung Soe Win explained following his release. “The toilet was always overflowing and there was no water for it or windows…Every three days, 50 of us would be given an hour to shower under two shower heads.

“After about a month, Maung Twan started to get sick. His legs became swollen and he’s was bleeding and coughing and vomiting a lot. Whenever the officers would pass by our cell we would ask for medical attention. We asked so many times that I cannot remember how many, but they only gave him treatment after he started showing signs of serious illness. At this point it was almost too late to help him.

“After being sick for two months he got so sick that he could not walk. The immigration officers became angry with him and asked why he would not walk. We showed them his legs and how sick he was. Two months later, they took him to hospital. Two weeks after that he died, at age 18.

“I was released by UNHCR shortly after his death. The officers told me that if I did not take his body he would be given to the dogs. This made me very angry. We were no criminals, we were just refugees and we were treated so badly in our country. We are not treated like humans. If we were, my friend would be alive right now.”

Among the deaths of Burmese detainees in 2009 a number are thought to have been caused by Leptopirosis, a waterborne disease, typically caused by exposure to animal urine, most commonly rat.

Speaking under anonymity, ethnic group-based refugee committees in Malaysia have told of severe mistreatment in the detention facilities. “Among the greatest concerns is the treatment of women and children,” said one group’s spokesperson. “Pregnant women are often arrested and then kept in detention under the same conditions as everybody else, and often forced to give birth in their cells. Females are not given any sanitary pads or tampons and many of them believe the presence of blood will bring demons and bad spirits so they live in fear. It’s horrific, there’s blood everywhere and the roofs are very low and it gets hot.”

Sexual abuse committed by the warders is also documented regularly, on both men and women. “At Semenyih [refugee] camp, one young woman is taken once a week on rotation. They are gone for the night and often come back hurt and crying but never talk about their experiences…This also happens regularly to boys aged 14 to 16-years-old; they are attacked by both guards and older inmates.”

While using anti-trafficking legislation to dish out harsher sentences, Malaysian authorities’ primary goal appears to be an end to undocumented migration. Speaking to the Malaysian press in January this year, the department’s director-general, Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman, stated that linking the harbouring or hiring of illegals with APTA offences such as exploitation, debt bondage and slavery were the “drastic measures…needed to curb the number of overstayers in the country.” According to government there are currently around 1.8 million undocumented migrant workers nationwide.

The move is doubtlessly further influenced by pressure from the US. The senate report released in April 2009 condemned Malaysian officials for their involvement in the trade for profit. It stated that “in recent years” thousands of Burmese migrants have been passed “over to human peddlers in Thailand, representing a variety of business interests ranging from fishing boats to brothels.” It then recommended that the Malaysian authorities should investigate and prosecute cases of trafficking.

Despite previous denial of such allegations from home minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, a full-blown investigation was shortly underway which led to nine arrests, including five immigration officials. Since then, there have been a number of further arrests linked to human trafficking, including the arrest of five Chinese nationals in Kuala Lumpur on 5 February.

While Malaysia has seen a decrease in trafficking, workers’ rights groups feel that a more holistic approach is needed as many more pressing issues affecting the lives of migrants are yet to be addressed.

According to Pranom Somwong, “a lot of information in [the US senate report] was correct and we need to respect the information from survivors in that report. But when you look at the impact of that report, you can see that the US policy is on law enforcement against trafficking and abolition of prostitution but they're not interested in other things…They are not addressing the issue of forced migration and refugees from Burma but pick and choose issues that suit them, mainly focusing on the corruption of the authorities.”

“[They haven’t suggested] any appropriate mechanism or system to allow victims to stay or receive legal aid to sue the traffickers and receive compensation. [Those that are deemed victims of trafficking] will spend three months in shelter and then sent back to Burma.”

This is of particular concern to the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing conflict and persecution in Burma. At the end of January 2010, there were a total of 79,300 UNHCR-registered refugees in Malaysia, almost all of which are Burmese. However, Malaysia is not a party to the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and thus its law enforcers indiscriminately arrest all undocumented regardless of their status.

“As far as the Malaysian government is concerned, refugees are undocumented migrants and therefore the crackdown will affect them in the same way, although those with UNHCR status will be released eventually.” Pranom Somwong added.

On 1 February the government announced plans to issue ID cards to all UNHCR-registered refugees, a decision that has been welcomed by the agency.

According to UNHCR Malaysia’s external relations officer, Yante Ismail, “Proper documentation for refugees is essential to their protection…We look forward to further discussions to put into place with them a documentation system for refugees."

No planned date for the move was announced but it is unlikely to go through in coming months and will have little or no effect on the arrests beginning next week. Law enforcers will firstly be focusing on the manufacturing and construction sectors but are expected to target the services sector too next month after Chinese New Year celebrations are over.

The effects of the crackdown are hard to predict. In 2005 and 2007, similar plans were announced that led to the arrest of tens of thousands of undocumented migrants. However, never has there been such attention given to employers, nor have anti-trafficking offences been such a key focus.

In Kuala Lumpur, refugee committees and worker rights groups alike are expecting the majority of those arrested to be migrants themselves, and have targeted employers to be limited to owners of small businesses. According to Pranom Somwong, “The anti-trafficking act is second on the agenda, aimed at appeasing the US war on human trafficking.”

http://www.dvb.no/english/news.php?id=3314

MTUC: Hire Refugees Instead

PETALING JAYA: Refugees should be allowed to work in labour-strapped sectors, instead of importing foreign workers, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) said.

The thousands of refugees now in the country could easily be absorbed into the various industries, said its secretary-general G. Rajasegaran.

By doing so, the Government would not only be able to save millions of ringgit spent on sustaining the refugees but would also gain world recognition for being a humane country, he added.

Rajasegaran was commenting on the recent announcement that 100,000 new visas were approved for foreign workers in the last three months.

He said the Government should thoroughly study the needs of the industries before approving the permits because the information provided by some companies could be misleading.

He claimed that an MTUC survey last year found that some companies got rid of workers with high salaries and replaced them with lowly-paid staff.

Their modus operandi was to offer a voluntary separation scheme (VSS) to workers earning between RM900 and RM1,500 and then employ new workers for RM500 and RM600, he added.

Another flaw, he claimed, was that the Home Ministry did not seem to have proper coordination with the Human Resources Ministry when giving approval for the recruitment of foreign workers.

He also said that the 272 registered outsourcing companies were another reason for the “excessive foreign workers in the country”, in that they often brought in more workers than were actually needed.

Latest figures issued by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein show there are 1.2 million legal foreign workers in Malaysia. There are believed to be an equal number of illegal or undocumented workers. — Bernama

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.aspfile=/2010/2/13/nation/5673377&sec=nation

US Volunteer Doctor Concerns Over Newborn Chin Refugee Child's Health

VOCR

9th Feb, 2010

Kuala Lumpur

 

Unsurprisingly, one month old child was carried by the mother and the US doctor found that the child's health is critical and worsen than previous. The newborn child formally known as Blessing was born at GHKL hospital in Malaysia and had under gone through surgical operation on his hip after 15 days from his birth in hospital.
In the examination, the US doctor found that the child can die within an hour if immediate medication is not provided by the hospital where he had operation. The operation is incomplete and further cross-examination and re-operation will be needed as the child's breathing is not normal and the bruise with blue color appears on the baby punch, the doctor added.

After the doctor wrote referral letter, the child was immediately rushed to hospital by community worker for re-examination. The doctor in hospital also later found that the operation was incomplete and needed to re-operate, and the child and his mother were told to stay in the hospital for further treatment.

 

According to community worker, the child sickness has been inveterate and the child is fatigued to have re-operation. The mother, holder of UNHCR ref. No. 791-09C05069, told volunteer interpreter that she is worrying for the child but no choice except to pray for her newborn baby's recovery.

"As for refugees, doing operation at high-level hospital or private clinic is unaffordable, we consistently go to government hospital even if we cannot have medical treatment properly," said the volunteer interpreter.

The community worker reiterated that they supported some money to the child for registration fee and deposit to stay in the hospital as the family is incapable.

 

by Salai C C

The USA volunteer medical team from Oklahoma City who recently arrived to Malaysia in order to provide medical treatment for Chin refugees is having deep concern over a newborn Chin refugee child. Yesterday, the medical team set up a clinic at Chin refugee office and over 70 patients from Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas attended for medical treatment and examination.

No easy way out of refugee dilemma

VOCR

9th Feb, 2009

Kuala Lumpur

Recently, two couple of refugees sharing room in a very small and uncomfortable and crowded apartment in suburban area in K.L were arrested and sent straight away into the detention center by the police and Rela that was known later. The raid was caused by the uninvited Chinese fellow visiting befriended in their work and was pursued since long long ago by the police and RELA in accusation of drug-selling. True, police and Rela group swept over them, though they are of UNHCR recognized refugees, living in that apartment together along with the criminal. Weeks had been gone through but never knew of the good news until now.

It was said that it was being attempted to know of their detention number in which the detainees are used to be called when the rescue team comes around. The target in that mission was totally about to arrest the criminal. But refugees who are innocent are sandwiched between the lines.

As a matter of fact, they should have a piece of snail-biking pity on those of refugees living miserably and always stand in awe of fear of police and rela raid that causes hundred of refugees in need to go to the counselors. Still, 96% of refugees from Myanmar see lives in Malaysia is breaking loose of their basic human rights, freedom and what’re abused respectively. All left the country because of the ongoing torture and human rights abuse, religion freedom abuse, labor forced and military recruitment. No one wants to have a double-distress here for it's been extremely tired of such a coarse violations.

According to the information from one of refugee organizations, thousands of refugees are now in several detention centers and they are untouched and unheard but no choice discouragingly waiting in line for the help of UNHCR as if “ the nestling waiting for the feeding of its mom”.

 

The fates of those jailed in torturing detention centers in some places are especially totally unspeakable grief as well as the unforgettable lifetime story in their minds. Many had had lost hope and future on account of staying very long in the hellish detention centers.

 

But, we can say that the access towards the detainees is relatively not as high as it calls for although they are on the run helping them get out of those centers. Truth, the final destination of refugees from Myanmar is not Malaysia but third countries accepting them. Malaysia is just a temporary shelter and a cross-by. Nonetheless, thanks be to the government for that sake despite the weak performance over recognizing refugees ( not to be troubled ).

When recently released news from the Star( the People Paper ) speculating around about the possibility of temporary I.D of Malaysia for those of refugees only recognized by UNHCR, thousands of refugees don’t know what to do. It won’t be possible to announce such a very important information to spread the nationwide without having the proper deal with UNHCR itself said some critics.

 

To refugees, the simple question here is “ Do they have to laugh at it or gladly welcome it ?” Very sad, big though it was for refugees good or bad, no follow-up is seen practically. Many are in awe thinking that whether it was just a trick-ball or a ploy from UNHCR or the Malay government in as much as lack of the follow-ups. No matter how many times it was mentioned about in the news as to UNHCR’s procedures regardless of the alertness of refugees, extortion and arresting and instant raid are like unstoppable machine guns.What the writer here worries over refugee problems is that they would be as a bait.

Claims and alertness for refugees by NGOs and media groups have been dramatically fading away years after years even if they ever did it eagerly from the get-go.It's time to consider widely on this critical issues. More of those of detainees are unreached of help at the same time less of them are reached and heard. The effort by refugee communities ( leaders of that area are refugee, too ) is hardly working out that much.

Thus, there's a big hole in the lives of refugees dilemma in Malaysia before the resettlement program is absolutely completed. Let them who pays ear to this problem understand the truth that prevails.

by Simon

Refugees in Malaysia concern over Government Announcement

VOCR

7th February, 2010

Kuala Lumpur

 

Refugees in Malaysia are deep concern over the recent government's announcement to raid illegal foreign workers in the country. Indeed, the Malaysia Government and Immigration department are planning to issue the ID to refugees, but arrest and corruption over refugees is still continuing.

Despite the announcement was thump-up by local NGOs and Chin refugees who fled their home country to Malaysia for a while, a moment later, the refugees are confused whether the government will really keep its announcement as the police are continuing arrest over the refugees in Malaysia.

"Immediately, after the announcement has been made, many of refugees working at factory and doing odds job had been arrested by RELA and Immigration joined operation. According to the information we received, most of the arrestees are UNHCR card holders and some have appointments to UNHR office to issue the card" one refugee community worker said.

He also expressed that if we quoted the star newspaper publicized recently, the home minister said that all refugees who have been recognized and issued the card by UNHCR can stay in the country temporarily but they cannot do anything but odds job. In fact, we (the Chin refugees) never intend to work in offices and good jobs which are separated for the local people. We all are waiting to be resettled to the country which officially accepted refugees. But the home minister department accused us that we are doing good jobs even though we are trying to compensate the local people with doing odds job. But now, many refugee workers who are doing odds job have been discharged by their bosses and population of jobless is steadily increasing".

When VOCR scrutinize regarding this matter, all Chin refugees do appreciate and applaud to the Government's announcement for recognizing refugees and allowing them to stay in the country temporarily. They also hope that they will not be sent back to Myanmar as the Malaysia government is well-known about refugee condition inside the country and to be given a chance to work for daily survival while in Malaysia.

Mr. Sang from Chin National Day Celebration committee also said that we are really worrying to observe football tournament within this period but it must be done as the committee has already agreed to do this tournament. We are aware that the funs around Kuala Lumpur City are feared to come because they have not legal protection for their safety.

 

Despite the government has announced to issue ID to recognize here in Malaysia, we fear that we all will be arrested within this period before the government issued the ID or confirmed its announcement, he said.

In order to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year smoothly, the government postponed its timetable to act against illegal workers yesterday but any announcement regarding this matter has not been made. However, the Chin refugees from Burma are troublingly waiting to see whether they will really be safe.

By Salai C C

Govt to postpone crackdown on those using illegals

PUTRAJAYA: The Government has agreed to postpone a crackdown on those employing or harbouring illegal workers, planned for Feb 15 onwards, to a later, unspecified date.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, after meeting representatives from the Chinese chambers of commerce and guilds on Friday, said this would allow the Chinese new year festivities to proceed smoothly.
Last month, the Immigration Department announced that it would commence a nationwide crackdown on thousands of employers believed to be harbouring or employing illegal workers.
There are about 1.8 million legal foreign workers in the country and the department believes there are at least an equal number of illegals.
There were many requests for the crackdown to be postponed as it was scheduled to start on the second day of Chinese New Year, where businesses would be brisk with huge profits to be made.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.aspfile=/2010/2/5/nation/20100205183816&sec=nation