Refugees Urged to go ahead with 6P program

By Simon

Kuala Lumpur (VOCR) 27 AUG: A fearful and controversial 6P program, which the government said it was primarily intended to only register illegal migrant workers, was since introduced for refugees and asylum seekers on 23^rd of August, this month.

Started calling on refugee community to send out its members to perform the 6P registration last Monday by UNHCR, it was harrowing experience that more than ten thousands of Burmese refugees turned up Tuesday to register in the Immigration office in Putrajaya. Yet, the ill-prepared immigration department said they could only process for 2500 a day and turning thousands away back home around at 2:00 pm on last Tuesday.



Waiting for instruction: Thousands of refugees throng at immigration department in
Putrajaya for bio-metric registration but thousands were reportedly send off as the
 immigration department has not enough capacity. (Photo-VOCR)   

Soon after, according to the update received from UNHCR office, UNHCR has been requested by the Malaysian government to assist in the process by verifying the true identity of each and every individual concerned and the program will include the taking of bio-data and biometric information of all individuals concerned. The impromptu exercise will take a number of months to complete.

It was learnt that to inform the individuals concerned, apparently UNHCR made the information spread via the network, "Facebook" after moments of thousands being forced to turn away. The first phase of exercise was conducted in Putrajaya immigration office from 23 to 26 of August, this month. And it was also informed that the second phase will commence in the month of September after the Hari Raya Holidays.

The following day as soon as the mass registration was conducted for refugees in Putrajaya last Tuesday, the Arakanese Refugee Community in cohorts with the unknown agent working for the 6P program set up the registering center at their office and asking charges RM-55 for a person. On contrary, other refugee communities from Myanmar organized sending out its members to Putrajaya Immigration office in batch in accordion with the instructions given by the registration officer in UNHCR Malaysia. 

Best guard: A RELA personal watching the refugees while lining up for
their turn to get registered in "6P" program. (Photo-VOCR)

Media reported that the home minister himself denied the order to get recognised refugees [UNHCR cardholders] registered under the ongoing 6P amnesty program, despite the media, Free Malaysia Today reporting that the home ministry issued an overnight order in last Monday night.

Back to the Tuesday irksome experience, there was reports that the authorities, police and rela beat some of the refugees include the children, mothers and elderly due to the mismanagement of UNHCR in which the scene turned so ugly and traumatic for refugees.

The Salvation Army group also claimed this morning that the government in this fingerprint process will take actions on the refugees—verifying the true identity of all concerned as there was a firm doubt in the inner circle of the government that thousands who entered into the country with work permit turned to seeking asylum in UNHCR Malaysia and many have become refugees to date. 

The move to register refugees and asylum seekers was strongly criticized by the Rights group who urged that refugees are different from migrant workers. By doing so, the fact that the entire refugee community are on alert and highly in fear over possible deportation after this registration as recently 11 of the ethnic Uighurs were deported back to China where they would face the harsh persecution.

The statement written in paper by the immigration authority was mostly different and some read: Tujuan: Puluang Ke Negara Asal (Purpose: Return to Home Country) whereas some are known as "Waiting for Work Permit".

However, for refugees and asylum seekers, the amnesty program sparked a great uncertainty and fear among refugees.

UNHCR when requested for further explanation yesterday morning by the COBEM [Coalition of Burma Ethnics in Malaysia] said that the ongoing program will never bring negative impact on refugees as the government is highly aware of the existing of refugees in their soil.

In light of fear over exercising deportation against refugees, it can be said that UNHCR Malaysia is falling under the flimflam of the Malaysian government and perhaps doubly proving that UNHCR is failed to protect its people who are the real victims of their respective motherhome persecution.