BANGLADESHI MP Tanvir Shakil Joy has shed light on a distressing reality. Up to a thousand Bangladeshi citizens have fallen victim to exploitation and unjust incarceration in Malaysia due to their undocumented status.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng expressed deep concern over the plight of these individuals and their families, many of whom have been deceived and exploited in pursuit of employment opportunities in Malaysia.
“Many of them have sold their properties in order to pay their way here, but they ended up being placed behind bars for crimes they did not commit.
“These Bangladeshis come to Malaysia hoping to get unattractive lowly-paid menial work often labelled ‘dirty, dangerous and difficult’ (3D) that very few Malaysians are willing to do,” said Lim.
“There is no doubt at all that words cannot describe their anguish, what’s more, the hope they have to pay for their children’s education just to enable them to get out of the poverty cycle. If this is not an affront to justice, then what is?”
The situation raises serious questions about the efficacy of immigration protocols and the accountability of relevant authorities.
“The question that many of us have been asking time and again is: How on earth could these undocumented foreign workers be allowed to enter our country without the knowledge of our authorities, especially the immigration department?” added Lim.
Moreover, Lim asserted that loopholes and corruption within the system are likely contributors to this crisis and calls for stringent legal action against those responsible for facilitating the entry of undocumented workers.
The Kepong MP also advocated for legislative reform to streamline the process of managing foreign workers. Proposing a single ministry to oversee applications, vetting, and document processing, he argued that reducing bureaucratic complexity will help curb opportunities for corruption.
“The more the bureaucracy, inevitably the more are the opportunities for corruption.”
Furthermore, Lim noted the need for compassion and practical solutions for those affected. Instead of incarcerating exploited workers, he suggested allowing them to apply for existing job vacancies in the country, thereby alleviating strain on prison resources. – March 3, 2024
