TWO non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have called the recent a recent immigration raid at Kompleks Hentian Kajang an abuse of power and was “totally unwarranted for”.
In the Monday (Aug 8) night raid, immigration officers checked 425 people there and arrested 175 foreigners, aged between two and 55 during the raid. They were composed of 132 men, 41 women and two children.
According to Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud his officers arrested 115 Myanmar nationals, 33 Indonesians, 13 Bangladeshis, nine Nepalis, four Sri Lankans and one Indian national.
Malay daily Harian Metro quoted Khairul as saying that the immigration department had been observing Kompleks Hentian Kajang for some time after a number of foreigners were spotted there.
On this matter, the Alliance Of Chin Refugees (ACR) and Beyond Borders said men, women and children whom are forced migrants, were hauled up while the media with their cameras were snapping photographs “despite the fact it’s intrusive and takes a whack at the migrants’ dignity”.
The NGOs also said those who were rounded up were also from Myanmar where there continues to be gross violations of human rights and murders committed by the military junta.
“It’s important for us to keep drumming it into the [authorities’] heads that seeking asylum and crossing borders in search of better job opportunities are not a crime,” they said in a joint press statement on Wednesday (Aug 10).
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s government condemns the Myanmar military, sits on the United Nations Human Rights Council and champions the Palestinian cause globally but yet treats the refugees in the country as sub-humans.”
ACR and Beyond Borders also slammed the Government for pledging to tackle human trafficking, people-smuggling and forced labour but prefers to hunt down migrant workers rather than going after middlemen, labour agents and unscrupulous employers.
“There is always a better way to engage with the forced migrant communities and using highhanded tactics like raids and intimidation are not the way forward as refugees and migrant workers are not a security issue,” the NGOs said.
“What we really need is for the government to engage with refugee and migrant community leaders.
“We can always discuss and come to a consensus. But the onus is on the government. It needs to choose between being progressive or abusive.” – Aug 10, 2022
Photo credit: FreeMalaysiaToday
