CNI News
9 March 2024
Although Malaysia has allowed undocumented foreigners and overstayers to go home with certificate of identity (CI) starting from 1st March 2024, the number of Myanmar people who go home has been still few, Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia told CNI News.
Although there are about 600,000 undocumented foreigners in Malaysia, the number of people who went home was just 800, said the Minister for Home Affairs of Malaysia at a press conference on 1st March.
Because that program has been valid up to December, the number of people who go home might be few and they might be waiting to win job opportunities. Moreover, the ill only were making preparation to go home, U Aung, chairman of the Malaysia-based Yadana Sekka Funeral Service told CNI News.
" For the time being, the number of people who go home still has been few. There was only one immigration department in Johor in the past. But now there have been three or four departments. Everyone is allowed to print their fingerprints in the immigration department in every township. The people who will go home are mostly Nepalese, Bangladeshi and Indonesian ones. They have to wait in line since early in the morning. Myanmar people have not neen among them as yet. According to the current Myanmar political situation, Myanmar people who prepared to go home haven't gone back. For the time being, those who will go home are the ill and pregnant women." he said.
While seeing those who will apply for CI books
Among those who want to go home, the people who has no passports must apply for CIs at the Myanmar Embassy in person.
However, Myanmar people from distant regions find it difficult for the journey to come to the embassy, according to Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia. So, it would be convenient if the embassy opened its branches, Ko Thet, chairman of the Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donors Association, told CNI News.
" Myanmar people from distant places have to come three to five hours in advance to apply for CI. It would be convenient if the embassy opened its branches in other townships. Brokers will be involved. Most of our people don't know how to do such as how to go to immigration department, how to wait in line and how to buy air tickets in advance. Brokers will ask at least 400 to 500 ringgits." he said.
Undocumented and overstayers Myanmar people must pay 500 ringgits for the fine and pay for air tickets as well, Myanmar Embassy stated.
According to that program, undocumented foreigners including Myanmar citizens and overstayers have been allowed to go home. So, arrests have been reduced in Malaysia reportedly.
