Dimmer job opportunities in Malaysia
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Forty-five Myanmar migrant workers who were jailed for holding fake visas in Malaysia have returned to Yangon.
They were granted a general amnesty in Malaysia and transported home with help from Malaysia-based Kapon Free Funeral Service Society and Premier Coffee Mix Co.
“Myanmar migrant workers were detained and imprisoned in Malaysia. We sent back 47 persons, including 45 workers who were released on general amnesty and two patients, to Myanmar in cooperation with Premier Coffee Mix Co,”said Aung Kyaw Soe from the Kapon Free Funeral Service Society.
On July 9, 72 Myanmar citizens were detained at Kuala Lumpur Airport in Malaysia by the Malaysian Immigration Department. On August 12, a Malaysian court sentenced 52 of the workers to one year jail terms for holding fake visas. On December 2, the Malaysian government granted general amnesty to 48 of the 52 prisoners.
According to the Myanmar Embassy, daily an average of around 90 illegal migrant workers seek CIs - an international travel document issued to Myanmar nationals who are overseas and have no passport to return home. The Malaysia authorities are running an operation to detain illegal migrant workers from Indonesia, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
On another development, Malaysia is now imposing stringent checks on Myanmar workers. Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that only those without any criminal record would be permitted to enter the country following a spate of murders involving Myanmar nationals in Penang.
“I have discussed this matter with the Myanmar labour minister. The recent murders are a concern for both countries,” he told a press conference after launching a seminar for Bukit Aman department directors and police chiefs here yesterday.
Dr Ahmad Zahid, who also launched the rebranding of Bukit Aman Logistics Department as the Strategic Resources and Technology Department, said the ministry was working with the Myanmar Embassy in Malaysia to monitor Myanmar nationals in the country.
“We are also checking those with UNHCR (United Nations High Commisssioner for Refugees) cards to ensure that they are not involved in any criminal activity,” he said.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, who attended the event, said 12 Myanmar nationals were still being detained in connection with the murders in Penang.
“We are looking for a few more (suspects). Initial investigations revealed the murders were due to revenge, private and family problems and debts. We urge the public to refrain from speculating that the murders were related to communal or religious issues,” he said.
On another matter, Dr Ahmad Zahid said the ministry was strenghtening its standard operating procedure for border checkpoints.
“The Immigration department will be acquiring new scanners at entry points along with high definition CCTV and a facial imaging machine,” he said.
On the construction of a border wall, Dr Ahmad Zahid said the ministry was studying proposals from five companies.
“We must ensure the proposals are suitable for the surface and environment in northern peninsular Malaysia or Sabah and Sarawak.
“We also need to look at the cost as we seek the approval of the finance ministry,” he said.
The home ministry believes the private sector should help finance the construction of the wall because of its high cost.
Dr Ahmad Zahid also said the amended Prevention of Crime Act, which was passed in Parliament in October last year, was proving to be effective with 306 people arrested since its enforcement.
“Detention under the Act is followed by a review by a five-member panel led by a judge. Detainees have a right to contest their detention, and so far some 10 per cent of them have been freed,” he said.
