Chin Refugee Man Beaten Up Fiercely In The Midnight Raid

29th May,2010

Kuala Lumpur

The People Volunteer Corps also known in terms as RELA of Malaysia violently entered the refugee houses at Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang on 26th May,2010 where many of refugees stranding and a Chin refugee man was beaten up fiercely during the midnight raid carried out in tandem with immigration and RELA. 

The raid period lasted two hours as it was started at 1:00 am and finished at 3:00 am.

It was reported that more than 300 foreigners were rounded up in two hours midnight raid and less than a half number of arrestees were released after checking their documents by the immigration. 

Nevertheless, a Chin refugee man named Thang Zaua from Tahan Town and holding refugee status determination (RSD) paper was kept isolated from other arrestees after the RELA brutally beaten him and became unconscious and left much bleeding. He was later rushed to the hospital by ambulance which was called by the RELA as they feared that his condition would be worsening and causing huge problem for the raiders.

Thang Zaua showing his injury at Chin Refugee Committee Office (photo-VOCR)

“Four of his teeth have been broken and torn apart and wounds on his face are stitched in seven places. However, he is believed not to be getting better shortly due to “insufficient medication” a confirmed source revealed. Though being admitted to hospital in time, he might not receive proper medication and the charge will be higher and no discount will be granted since he does not hold UNHCR card but the considering paper.

“Four RELA including two women entered our room and two men suddenly started beating my brother. He was punched and kicked several times till he stumbled down and become unconscious. They didn’t stop beating even though we knelt down and pleaded to forgive him. He was being forced to sit on platform and kept him isolated from others and no one was allowed to approach him during the immigration checking arrestees’ documents in the courtyard” quoted his sister present in the raid as saying to VOCR.

It is no doubt believed that the raid was carried out due to complain came out by the locals who dislike foreigners to stay around that area. As of recently, the raid has been carrying out at anywhere and anytime upon complain made by the locals. Obviously, the scene appears to create highly depressed fear of refugees and other foreigners as well and causing fresh huge problems and vast troubles as numbers of both migrants and refugees had been sent to detention camp.

None of any actions and intensive investigations has been taken so far and it is believed that the episode will be ended like in 2008 when one died and one seriously injury during the raid carried out at Jalan Changkat 9/1.

The home ministry of Malaysia had announced last year of the plan to be increasing the population of RELA up to 2.5 millions by 2012 although 127 organizations including the domestic and international had released the statements to abolish the RELA in December last year. 

by Salai C C

Chin Refugees: Two Death Cases Reported

26th May,2010

Kuala Lumpur

 It is reported that Thawng Tha Ceu from Thinghual village, Thantlang Tsp, aged 22 and his UNHCR ref: 791-10C1790 died on 25/5/2010 on the spot of the incident where he was fallen down from the high floor in Imbi construction site which is five minutes walk from Imbi CCF worship center.

It is said that the body will be buried in Sungai Buloh cemetery today which is mainly organized and helped by CCF (Chin Christian Fellowship) as usual and always for its members. No reason and cause of his death is impossibly known since his friend (co-worker) only could mention that they found his body dead on the piles of stone to be used for the construction.

Police and construction workers watching Thawng Tha Ceu body laying down

On the same day, Jun Ni Li San of age 20 from Matupi Dai, Matupi Tsp, of her UNHCR ref:791-10C-05412 was again died of Internal Cerebral Bleeding which is called in short form ICB in Ipoh Hospital yesterday. The Matupi community facing very hard time for her bury because they understand they cannot bury her in the cemetery without the concerted help of CCF. But reportedly, they are finding ways to solve their challenging problem at best they can do by themselves or no choice they have to humbly ask of help from CCF at the end of disability. "They could manage to bury the body today if contacted CCF and asked of help from them, honestly and genuinely" quoted a community leader from Matupi as saying to VOCR.

In Malaysia, there are dozens of Chin communities which are seen totally unnecessary and most of the communities are purely ineffective in support of their own people. As of always, most of them facing more and more the tough times in case of solving death problems. The fact that death in Malaysia is costly because they have to contact several authorities of police, hospital and cemetery.

Beyond that, they have to buy the place for bury unconditionally. That can be of high price and that can be cheap depends on the level of their management with the authorities. So much so that they come to understand that they do need the undoubted co-operation among the flaw communities. 

by Simon

Chin Refugees: Death Toll Surging in Waves

22nd May,2010

Kuala Lumpur

Nearly a week ago from last funeral, the Chin committee facing a critical challenge on the issue of death toll surging up. Amidst the ban on refugees burying confirmed by the authority, the unpredictable and unavoidable fate of death is practically eyed highly increasing among Chin refugees along with all races of refugee in Malaysia.

On reaching the third week of May, we confronted two death cases and they'd been reported to have buried in the same day on 20 May, 2010.

The Chin refugee, Khen Lal, also called Maung Tan in his would be UNHCR registration name, aged 45 from Sai Kah village. "Most of my life here (Malaysia) so many times, I was unable to run after where the UNHCR registration was set because of my physical conditions and lack of information from my friends", said to VOCR while being able to see doctor, adding that my longsuffering of TB tempted me from doing all I wanted to do, stopped me to work and go to the Clinic although I know I should do that.

He went to search for a refuge from the same villagers in Kuala Lumpur, having his condition being extremely serious and at the end of hope to stand by himself. His meantime guardian informed CRC and asking of help in ways they could get medical treatment. By the help of CRC, he was brought to the refugee clinic and suspected of TB and HIV. He was tested HIV negative in the clinic and advising him to be x-rayed at the next day. Unluckily, no one was not able to afford for him at that time though it was so small case. Later on, the family whom he hanged on helped him taking x-ray and the result came out TB serious positive. On 17 May, 2010 he was admitted in UKM Hospital and his death was confirmed on 19 May, 2010. According to the clinic, he was referred to UNHCR on the basis of his medical needs by the appointed doctor and his would be UNHCR ref: 354-10C02801. He was buried in Sungai Buloh cemetery while his UNHCR appointment was in process.

On 18 May, 2010, the Chin female refugee named Tial Tum aged 44 from Than Tlang, wife of Eng Mawi from Falam, member of Lai Christian Fellowship which was separately different from CCF, was reported died of uterus cancer in UKM Hospital after being hospitalized in the hospital since 6 May, 2010. It was a long suffering and a very hard time for the related family. She was Chin recognised refugee and just finished her OPE (Oversea Processing Entity) interview that means they are in steps of UNHCR procedures in order to be resettled in third countries. Absence of the medicines for this certain disease in the Hospital must be dire news for the family and all of Chin refugees.

The detailed information is unreachable due to the failure of contact with the spouse

The Christian style, according to one of the participants in the burying, worship service was strictly prohibited and only very few of them who came up to funeral service could join to the Seremban cemetery which is extremely expensive and beyond the effort for refugees in Malaysia.

The increase of the variety of diseases, the psychologically, mentally disorders among refugee communities in Malaysia would be peculiarly strange to the third countries. Indeed, those who (refugees) experiencing this bunch of disease is very common to refugees by reason of fear of raids, extortion of police, robbed by gangsters and other functions of malnutrition and totally disqualified for health service.

 

by Simon

Raid; co-operation of RELA and Immigration Geared up

18th May,2010

Kuala Lumpur

It can be said that nearly every week there's always a big operation led by RELA (People Volunteer Corp) combined with Immigration and Police around Kota Raya, Jalan Imbi and Jalan Pudu where most of refugees and illegal migrants dwelling and making home.

Precisely, a series of weekly raids occurring and more than dozens of people have nearly always been arrested on weekends at a time by RELA in Kota Raya where the centre, junction and destination of buses are and that is where most of commuters pass by. Often times, for those brought out to the police station used to informing CRC and ACR and the rescuer hurries to the station and help them released back from the police hands. But there's a price for making them get out of the station in spite of holding UNHCR Card which is sealed under the total protection of UNHCR.

Unfortunately, for those sent directly to the detention camps are in need to inform UNHCR office. But so sad that it takes very long, maybe after two months or more than that. “The breakout of raid is unpredictable that means it’s hard to avoid as refugee” said an interpreter in UNHCR.

This photo was taken during the raid took place on Sunday. The raid was carried out shortly after the refugees finished Sunday worship service and having lunch in Jalan Imbi. The authority round up four full trucks loaded of refugees.

A raid taken place in Jlan Imbi on 16/5/2010 resulted hundreds of people swept-over in four full trucks loaded. Needless to say, many were left unharmed for those of hiding at home but strolling on the streets.

“Apparently, a lady of Chin refugee got shocked and bringing about her heart disease in sight of many volunteers at CRC office. It was because of the scene of raid she saw”, reported to VOCR an anonymous.

The protection of UNHCR and the security of thousands of refugees appear highly in need to be highlighted among thousands of issues. The recognition of the Malay government in light of the refugees’ condition is more than what is important so that all of refugees’ problems such as; rate of death toll, a set of depression, anxiety, psychosis, employment and arresting will surely be significantly decreasing down.

Until present, normally around 60 to 100 persons of recognised refugee have been into counseling monthly in the UNHCR clinic and few of them, who have been victims of psychosomatic, are only referred to psychiatric Hospital by the appointed doctor. Obviously, here you can best simply find out what is the cause root problem for those refugees if interested.

And imagine what is most troubling them and threatening a daily life of refugee. Would the issues of refugee be remained unsolved or be unsolvable? Will refugee be kept victim of this nation or is what they are suffering the choice they make?

by Simon

A Refugee Young Boy Passed Away

15th May,2010

Kuala Lumpur

The very young boy of 13 age, student of CSO (Chin Student Organization) named Ram Peng Uk died of blood cancer on 13/5/2010 at General Hospital in Kuala Lumpur after having being long struggled and hospitalized twice in the hospital.

"It was the second time that we admitted him in this hospital since we took a month rest at home according to the instruction of doctor after a week diagnose in the same hospital once in last month", said his mother, adding that we came to understand that it wouldn't be possible to be recovered from his born-disease but destined to death. However, no choice we kept crying to God for him no matter what happened.

Soon after the active response was found no more positive at 11:20 pm, the family immediately informed leaders of CSO, CRC and CCF for those are of most reliable community in the care of emergency and accidental death. These teams rushed to the hospital and got there at 12:30 pm. It was nothing special but just waiting for the miracle happening. As expected earlier since the doctor denied any medical treatment, he was passed away at the sight of those leaders present in 4:20 the very early morning.

His beloved mother was crying in tone of being a promising son. He was called very attentive and good student at the period of his student life in CSO, quoted as saying by one of the teachers in CSO.

With the help of CCF (Chin Christian Fellowship), the funeral service was conducted first by the unusual mercy of Church authority at Jalan Imbi Chapel where every weekly service is being held and which is the main centre, then leaving for Klang Cemetery to bury today afternoon (on 15/5/2010)

On contrary, half of the population of Chin refugee children, including the olds is under malnutrition according to the medical survey in the Refugee Clinic. As a matter of fact, 100% of refugees are very low paid even though the odd jobs and some full-time jobs privileged so that it is, as a result, no doubt hard to meet the medical need. T o be honest, infectious diseases such as TB and STD and other skin disorders are rapidly spread among families as people are crowded, sometimes about nearly 30 and 20 persons in one flat which is used only for two families with small number.

Days after days, drastically voicing, apartment's owners increasing price for renting to refugees which is viewed a very tough point they have to come across. In addition, the extortion of police and robbing of gangsters and drug addicts are highly on the rise and a measurable threat to daily survival of refugees living miserably in Malaysia.

By Simon

Refugees: No Place for Bury and No Place for Funeral

14th May,2010
Kuala Lumpur

The recent groundbreaking news prohibiting refugee burying in the cemetery unlike before which had been long shared and allowed to use for more than a decade waves a great in awe shock towards the Refugee Bodies and Communities in Malaysia. It is believed that there may be more than hundreds of thousands of refugee in Malaysia and in it, 80% out of 100% refugees dwelling in Malaysia are from Burma, also known as Myanmar according to the data of UNHCR Office based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Funeral service in Seremban cemetery

The figure is clearly showing that it’s been such a huge number and community, as are a people fleeing to escape from the systematic ongoing violation of human rights and abuse over the religion and the political causes in the lovely motherland, that they also truly need for a place, besides of all the basic elements as a people, for bury in case of death which can’t be predicted as always can happen at any times in any moments.


Reasonably citing, since the start of refugee running and migrating here (Malaysia) in the year of 1999 but the recognisation of refugee status was initially begun in 2001 by the UNHCR, it was, honestly mentioning, found out that there’s very few number of death lines at that time according to the community report surveyed.

Furthermore, according to the reported data provided by CRC, so far we have 31 cases of death in the first post-quarter of 2010 and which is the same quantity of the total of the whole 2009. Those were of definitely reported only. So sorry for the failure of providing the detailed information as to beefing up the numbers of the rest of years from the establishment of Chin Community. It was not because of lack of an attempt but because of data system change and lack of the systematic transferring of data by those resettled in the third countries. It is of course realistic that former community leaders are incumbently responsible of the filing cases.

The pastor saying words of farewell in the cemetery

Back to the issue, it is so odd that when it came to exercise funeral service of the Chin guy from Mara on 12.05.2010 at Sungai Buloh cemetery, the populations of mourners are immediately limited and the main entrance which was usually used is prohibited by the landowners at once. No one dared to cry over the dead but feeling bitterly inside because of the fact that the ban over refugee activity with regard to funeral service in way of Christian patterns. They best controlled themselves at the midst of the deep sorrow. In fact, all Chin refugees are Christian. The scene appeared very disappointing to any one of refugees. No surprise, it was known later that they highly fear that they would be fined and stopped by the higher authority if found selling lands for refugee bury and mourners congested around here, said one of the funeral service organizers.


“I have been dealing with the landowners as well as agents for ages in the matter of buying land for bury and signing for responsibility. But for now, their furious tone of response when contacted leaves me too much more astounded that they mentioned that Myanmar is bigger than Malaysia and you can go your homeland and bury there. Warning from the authority has been signaling that they could be arrested provided that the authority found people of refugee gathering more than 20 persons in the cemetery in addition to selling tomb to any refugees has been banned” cited chairman of Zotung Community.

Sadly, another problem the Chin community facing is the death tolls rising much more doubled than any years of before. The certain thing we are to encounter is the place for bury and the place for funeral service as is a farewell practice rite of our Christianity for the dead which is purely conceived as a part of consolation for the left family and cousins and relatives at the same time.

 

The speculation in relation to the funeral is being soared higher and higher. Unless this problem is partly helped solved, the future problematic bury of refugee would be another question unanswered or every dead body of refugee would be cremated or thrown away in the river in the days to come or would be like the uncountable body floating over in Ganga river in India.

For the sake of refugee, it's been time to call for the UNHCR intervention and NGOs rescuing in the wake of the authority mercy and the government awareness. Truth, any refugees, so far, can never be allowed to represent in terms of meeting with the government. Thus, the local action towards the refugees can be a matter of most importance. 

 

by Simon 

Women Detainees Reached In Co-joint Visit of Chin Communities and Chin Christian Fellowships

6th May,2005

Kuala Lumpur

In an attempt to supporting the detainees severely suffering, Chin community and Christian Fellowship paid a visit to women detainees in Kamayang detention center which was assumed to be the outcome of a long-time endeavour.

The indefinite imprisonment terms, which is initially exercised on focus for refugees and illegal migrants as a preventive tool for the raiders (a preventive accusation by police and RELA), of women detainees from Burma those belong to Myanmar ethnicity in Kemayang detention center have been increasingly growing concerns for the whole Burma community in Malaysia due to ill-treatment and negligence by the authority, the source revealed. In addition, their physical conditions are a part of big concern that we have to count into, added one of community leaders.

“Since a series of reports reveal in the same tone that the detainees have never been received medical treatment even though they’ve been sick and infected by their set of stresses and anxieties and sufferings from several diseases caused by unhygienic foods”, accordingly reported by an associated team led by Chin Refugee Committee, Chin Christian Fellowship and Mi E District Fellowship visited the camp and reached five of prisoners at that time on Wednesday, 06 of May.

The team claimed that the women are precluded in light of access and any communities are not permitted to visit the camp prior to given registration for refugee status by the UNHCR protection team on 27.04.2010. Sadly, no updated information was available since these detainees were rounded up during the raid carried out by authority at their respective workplaces.

This is the first time, the community workers holding UNHCR card are permitted to visit this Camp after six months of plea to the authority. There is a report that 25 women from Burma are encamped in but the visiting team could reach only five detainees of them owing to restrictive rules and limited time set.

Honestly expressing namely those of the detainees met by the visiting team, they were Benedette Zam Uap Kim, Dawt Chin Sung from Chin State, Soe Soe and Mon Mon from Mon State and San San Myint from Dawai respectively.

Unfortunately, among a group of them, a Chin woman named Ngun Tha Cin is likely to be facing criminal charge if convicted guilty in court as an act to cause problem inside the camp because the authority found the mirror broken which is sent for adornment in the package by her husband in several weeks ago. She was kept isolated from other detainees and the team could not set a meeting with her during the visit. She was arrested during a massive raid carried out by RELA and Immigration in Seremban last year and she left two of her children along with her husband in their dwelling apartment.

Mon Mon, according to the visiting team, from Mon State is being suffered from unusual menstrual period and that completely had affected her skins and makes worsens her health condition while the rest of detainees are equally suffering from rashes caused by contaminated water and the dirty surroundings.

Obviously, the visit reaffirms that hundreds of refugees remain encamped are doubly depressed and stressed when they are in the neglected and uncared places. Even worse, many are in inaccessible situation that sparks the dangerous cause for life, esp, for those of related families and relatives. 

by Simon

Will separation from long-term based communities be the best way to solve the plight of Chin refugees in Malaysia?

Surprising but not amazing, I was shocked when I visited the hospital along with Chin Refugee Committee medical team on last Sunday evening.

The visit perturbed me at a time when I saw that many of Chin patients lying down on the bed and having medical treatment. Yet, the scene made me realized one thing that how the Chin people are ignorant to inform the communities because most of the patients’ conditions had not been heard by the medical team due to lack of providing information to their respective communities by relatives or friends.

During the visit, the Chin Refugee Community could reach only three patients those were admitted to the hospital on last month and encouraging them not to be worried for their future. Truly, it’s so sad that the team could not meet Miss. Lal Hmen Kungi due to the fact that she went for surgery during the visit.

Among them, a woman named Ngun Te, a mother of one child from Ngaleng village, Matupi Township, who just came to Malaysia on 20.04.2010, was suspected to be suffering from Malaria or Dengue and the hospital has already instilled her 25 bottles of glucose. She’s just new arrival and was supposed to add in derivative status system under the husband file in UNHCR office. But it was unfortunately stuck related to her health condition and was unable to walk off to the UNHCR office prior to hospitalization. She will not receive any promotions as she is not registered with the UNHCR while other patients with UNHCR card are given promotions of 50% discount.

"Had the husband or friends earlier informed CRC or ACR, all of the patients would be reached and the communities will never hesitate to help them in any possible ways. This is what they are doing now with lack of wise thinking for what might come about next. To define the dozens of hundreds of the Chin people want to separate from the biggest and most effective communities led by the hypocrites( the ones who know only how to be served but to serve) and wish to become a leader in their own sub-organizations or village movements. As a matter of facts, competing for the leadership position is very popular but many are, at the same time, unaware of what should be done for the effectiveness and betterment of the community which becomes a virus and makes the community weakling and bring about the bad names as a result.

“In a sense, even if their relatives or friends failed to inform us, their respective sub-organizations or village leaders should try us and alarm us so that we will intervene somehow as we are always ready to help,” one of volunteer worker said.

In relation to the statement above, Chin refugees in Malaysia should widely concentrate and need to understand the role and task of community administration and service providing. Many of sub-organizations have been established and sprang up as if a season of mushroom, the future may be doomed due to deny of renewing their membership cards with CRC and ACR, the biggest communities working closely with the UNHCR office. In particular, it’s time to understand what they can’t do anything for the benefit of the community except collecting money for their owned-community membership card fee and social related-affairs.

True but not a funny, a bunch of the newly sub-organizations and small communities are never reliably responsible for the people in terms of rescue from detention centers, admitting to Hospital and contacting with UNHCR which are mainly important to stand. That would be nice if they could energetically conduct such services in the community but so sad they aren’t capable of implementing these trends until now.

The latest surveillance shows that seventy percents of the income has been drastically decreased down and the communities are being sunk into financial crisis in order to run the services provided. It was since most of the Chin people effectively deny renewing their membership cards after mass registration operated by UNHCR. For that reason, the most responsible communities, CRC and ACR have to wisely decide to do the restricted roles in the administration in support of help for community even though they are best serving their own people by all costs.

Obviously, it is unacceptable that many are complaint over the different dialect which is not totally a matter of importance but just an excuse. Both CRC and ACR have adequately volunteers from different dialect to meet the needs of language barriers.

Therefore, will separation from CRC and ACR be the best way to solve the plight of Chin refugees in Malaysia regarding arrest, detentions and health care service which is the must-to-do problem for everyone.

The desire to be boss in any circumstances indicates the exercise of the nepotism and cronyism that is badly inflicting the people and a big epidemic among the society as we are ruled over for more than 2 decades by the military regime. “Failure of learning what the past history is the absence of the qualification to be a reliable leader” said one of Chin society analyst. For Chins, humility is what most requires and very rare like diamond.

If anybody expects better progress among our society through the present patterns of ideological conflicts, they surely need to have the clear understanding towards the building of the bright future. It’s never too late to learn our ailing history from the past.

by Salai C C

Hundreds of Chin Refugees Served Free Medical Treatment in Cameron Highlands Trip

3rd May, 2010

Kuala Lumpur

A medical team, which provides free medical treatment for hundreds of Chin refugees and migrant workers reached more than 100 of Chin refugees working at the biggest agricultural farm in Malaysia and offered medicines without charge on last Friday and Saturday.

It was said by community workers those accompanied mobile clinic team said most of the patients were suffering from diabetes, gastric and kidney problem due to their hard jobs and less times of rest.

Photo: CRC

Many of Chin refugees who came to Malaysia for seeking asylum has been sent back to remote area by their agents like Cameroon Highlands, Ipoh and boarder areas. Among them, several people have been out of contact and are in position of being unable to identify their tribulations by the community and UNHCR office base in Kuala Lumpur. Regardless of this challenge, important though it is, we can't rule it out until recently said the one who declined to mention his identity.

People waiting their turn to have consultation with doctors

The mobile clinic brought up by ACTS was run at two occasions, at where commonly the biggest populations are working around and can they gather most. The team then as usual was helped not only in terms of interpreting for the patients by Chin Refugee Committee (CRC) volunteers but also in all the basic needs for the refugees in ways registering in community and updating the information related to UNHCR.

Indeed, most of Chin refugees in Cameron highlands are direly in need of medical treatment because they cannot access to any Hospitals and Clinics even if they are in critical condition. The medical team not only donated medicines which are believed to be very helpful but also they learned what kind of medicines should be filled up with regard to their respective illnesses for the next two month return.

It is however a big worry over the sick that many are not allowed to go to the nearer Clinics with their own decisions whenever they get sick and unable to go to work because they are simply afraid that they will be discharged if they do their own-way without consulting and telling even the inkling information to the employers according to the eye-witness and the interviewer’s statement to VOCR.

Honestly and sincerely mentioning the heartfelt feeling on behalf of Chin communities, thanks be to the NGO, namely called ACTS on the priceless efforts and the gracious contributions to our people in order for reaching them to get an healthy and standard medical treatment which is ever essential of all time for them. 

by Salai C C