By G Vinod - Free Malaysia TodayFMT FEATURE KUALA LUMPUR: “We were a thriving community in Sri Lanka, self-sufficient and never depended on the government for anything but the Singalese government continued its oppression against us for 30 years.”
These were the words of 27-year-old Sri Lankan M Kathir who was just released along with 62 of his compatriots after having being detained by the Malaysian authorities for more than 100 days.
The 62 were released by the Immigration Department after their protection order lapsed on Aug 8.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) subsequently issued them refugee status cards, allowing them to reside in Malaysia.
Speaking to FMT, Kathir said that he owned a farm back in Sri Lanka but it was destroyed by the government during the war.
“As long as we are Tamil, the government will automatically label us as members of the Liberation Tiges of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),” said Kathir.
Realising that his future was bleak in his homeland, Kathir and 74 others set their sights on any nation that would offer them a safe haven.
After five days braving rough seas in a boat, Kathir said their engine became faulty and the boat started to take in water. Then they put up a distress signal light, hoping someone will rescue them.
“We did not know where we were until the someone spotted our boat and we found out it was the Immigration and Maritime officers from Malaysia,” said Kathir.
Kathir said they refused to follow the officers, as they were aware that Malaysia does not recognise asylum seekers and they will not be permitted to work here.
“Only after being persuaded by officers from the UNHCR did we agreed to follow them,”said Kathir, who was detained in Juru with the others before being eventually moved to KLIA immigration depot.
In May, the refugees staged a hunger strike fearing the Malaysian government may deport them to Sri Lanka.
“We only ended our strike after the immigration officials told us that we will not be sent to Sri Lanka and they will be sent to a nation that will accept them as refugees,”said Kathir.
Food and accomodation needed
Kathir expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian government and NGOs involved in getting them released, especially the Alternative Action Team (AAT), Tamil Integrity Movement and Tamilan Uthavum Karangal (Tamilan Helping Hands).
“We are of the same race with no blood ties but they have sacrificed a lot to help us get asylum seekers' card from the UNHCR,”said Kathir.
AAT chief B Kalaivanar said the asylum seekers will be sent to AAT headquarters in Penang tomorrow morning.
“We will be able to provide better lodging and food for them over there,”said Kalaivanar.
Kalaivanar also said that he will be meeting Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil soon to assist the women and children in the group.
He reminded the public not to duped by certain quarters who are collecting donations on the pretext of helping Sri Lankan asylum seekers.
“We are aware that some quarters are collecting funds on the pretext of helping the Sri Lankans.Whatever assistance we have provided for the Sri Lankans are from our own funds and we have not taken any money from the public,”said Kalaivanar.
He urged volunteers and NGOs to come forward to provide food and clothing to the refugees.
“They are not allowed to work. Therefore we urge well-wishers to contribute food and clothing for them during their stay here,” said Kalaivanar.
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