CNI News
1 Dec 2022
Undocumented migrants including Myanmar nationals were being arrested in Malaysia, where the new prime minister has yet to form a government, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.
Although the new prime minister has been appointed, immigration authorities have continued to arrest undocumented migrants in accordance with rules and regulations and the situation is likely to change after the new government has been formed, said labour activists.
U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrants in Malaysia, told the CNI, "Authorities have not stopped arresting undocumented migrants. As hundreds of migrants were detained, prisons in border areas were crowded with them. The new prime minister cannot make any decision by him alone. So, authorities have continued to arrest undocumented migrants in accordance with previous rules and regulations. The situation is likely to change in about one month. They are detaining migrants everywhere including in factories and houses. The new prime minister has not formed the new government and has not appointed his ministers. It was said that he would appoint ministers this week but he did not say the exact date."
New Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Labour activists told the CNI that the situation might return to normal at the end of the year or early next year.
General Secretary U Chit Kaung of Assistance Association for Myanmar Migrants in Malaysia told the CNI that undocumented Myanmar migrants are required to be careful until that time.
He said, "As the elections have just completed and political changes are taking place in Malaysia, migrants should be careful about staying and working in Malaysia. Even Malaysians have to be careful about the political changes, we should take extra care not to make disturbance and go to certain places like train stations, busy town centres and bus stands. Those who live in migrant quarters should be more careful. Undocumented migrant workers should stay at their places secretly. If they were arrested, it would not be easy."
Illegal migrant workers arrested in Malaysia.
As the ringgit has appreciated after Anwar Ibrahim was appointed as the prime minister, it is beneficial for workers in Malaysia, U Babu Gyi added.
He said he hoped that the new prime minister would do his best for workers in Malaysia.
He told the CNI, "The new prime minister had to wait a long time to become prime minister. He has the support of many business people, especially Chinese businessmen. I think he will do his best for the businessmen and their workers."
As new governments issue certain certificates for migrants whenever they take office, labour activists and illegal migrants hope that Anwar Ibrahim will do the same for them.
