CNI News

10 Jan 2023

Malaysia seems to be rounding up illegal migrants to pave the way for recruiting new workers, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

As crackdowns on illegal migrants have intensified after the Malaysian home minister announced at a press conference recently that the country was planning to recruit 600,000 new workers from 15 countries, such speculations have arisen, U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrants in Malaysia told the CNI.

He said, "When the home minister was asked by a reporter how he planned to tackle the issue of illegal migrant workers, he replied that the news conference was not intended for the issue of illegal migrant workers. It seemed that authorities did not take illegal migrants into consideration. So, they did not make any announcements over the issue and did not have any plans to issue permits for them. They are just planning to recruit new workers. So, crackdowns on illegal migrants have intensified. I think they are rounding up illegal migrants to recruit new workers."

 Malaysian authorities scrutinize illegal migrants.

On 6th January alone, Malaysia rounded up more than a thousand illegal migrants including Myanmar nationals.

If authorities are rounding up undocumented migrants to recruit new workers, crackdowns on them are likely to intensify further, Myanmar communities in Malaysia told the CNI.

Malaysian authorities have rounded up illegal migrants repeatedly not only in factories and workshops but also in quarters where a large number of them live.

Therefore, it is necessary for illegal migrants and ethnic refugees to exercise caution when going out, Director General U Nyi Nyi Lwin of the Centre for Arakan Refugees told the CNI.

Malaysian authorities launch crackdowns on illegal migrants.

He said, "They need to exercise caution when they go out. They should not be drunk and involved in brawls because they are illegal migrants. They should not make any noise. They should also need to be honest with local residents and respect their traditions. If they annoy local residents, authorities will have to take action against them. They should stay humbly and silently at least for six months while it is difficult to assess the situation."

Although the home minister said the country was planning to recruit new workers from 15 countries, he did not state any specific countries. Therefore, it is important for Myanmar nationals who intend to work in Malaysia not to fall victim to swindlers, according to Myanmar communities in Malaysia.

Those who intend to work in Malaysia and who are already in the country are required to read news about Malaysia thoroughly, they advised.