By S. Kishokumari
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- About 97,000 refugees and asylum-seekers are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia till January this year, which is more than half of the country's Orang Asli (indigenous people) population of 149,000.
According to UNHCR spokesperson Yante Ismail,about 88,500 of them were from Myanmar, comprising 34,400 Chins, 23,000 Rohingyas, 10,500 Myanmar Muslims, 4,600 Rakhines, 3,800 Mons, 3,300 Kachins and other ethnicities.
"There are some 8,200 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries, including some 4,400 Sri Lankans, 1,000 Somalis, 770 Iraqis and 440 Afghans," she told Bernama recently.
She also elaborated that 71 per cent of the refugees and asylum-seekers were males and 19,700 of them were children below the age of 18.
Nevertheless, Yante said no specific placement such as camps were provided and as such they (refugees and asylum-seekers) lived scattered but had access to the informal work sector and opportunities to be self-reliant.
"One important fact is that the refugees can move freely, they are not in camps and are able to be empowered to find their own ways of coping and rebuilding their lives with dignity.
"If there are allegations of crimes committed in Malaysia by refugees or asylum-seekers, UNHCR would expect them to undergo due process under the law like just any other person," said said.
Recently, police foiled a drug smuggling attempt with the arrest of two Myanmars having UNHCR cards in front of the Kota Tinggi Plaza in Johor Baharu on Feb 23.
On Feb 22, police had also crippled a gang of burglars comprising 16 Myanmars, including six UNHCR card holders in the city.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Bernama) -- About 97,000 refugees and asylum-seekers are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia till January this year, which is more than half of the country's Orang Asli (indigenous people) population of 149,000.
According to UNHCR spokesperson Yante Ismail,about 88,500 of them were from Myanmar, comprising 34,400 Chins, 23,000 Rohingyas, 10,500 Myanmar Muslims, 4,600 Rakhines, 3,800 Mons, 3,300 Kachins and other ethnicities.
"There are some 8,200 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries, including some 4,400 Sri Lankans, 1,000 Somalis, 770 Iraqis and 440 Afghans," she told Bernama recently.
She also elaborated that 71 per cent of the refugees and asylum-seekers were males and 19,700 of them were children below the age of 18.
Nevertheless, Yante said no specific placement such as camps were provided and as such they (refugees and asylum-seekers) lived scattered but had access to the informal work sector and opportunities to be self-reliant.
"One important fact is that the refugees can move freely, they are not in camps and are able to be empowered to find their own ways of coping and rebuilding their lives with dignity.
"If there are allegations of crimes committed in Malaysia by refugees or asylum-seekers, UNHCR would expect them to undergo due process under the law like just any other person," said said.
Recently, police foiled a drug smuggling attempt with the arrest of two Myanmars having UNHCR cards in front of the Kota Tinggi Plaza in Johor Baharu on Feb 23.
On Feb 22, police had also crippled a gang of burglars comprising 16 Myanmars, including six UNHCR card holders in the city.
By Bernama
Good to hear that now government know who were the real problem maker (Employers) not the workers, because they lie to worker that their permit in procedure but no way for a worker to know the truth. When i came in Malaysia one employer fraud with me and give my passport back after 9 months and i was surrprised to saw my passport blank (no permit). even few weeks ago i go to immigration office to check my 6p documents validity but no one help me out there. they said your boss know .so if my boss lieying to me No way to check.my request is to make it online for worker as well as far i know no one wants to live illegle.
ReplyDelete