Nearly 100 Chin people arrested in Malaysia within a month

Nearly 100 Chin people arrested in Malaysia, including women, throughout February, according to reports from the Chin community in Malaysia.

The arrests took place in several states, including the capital Kuala Lumpur, as well as Kelantan, Selangor, Pahang, Penang, Johor, and Perak.

It is reported that those arrested were either undocumented workers living in Malaysia or individuals attempting to enter the country through illegal routes.

Some of the detainees have been charged under Malaysia’s immigration laws, while others have been released with the assistance of Chin organizations, according to aid workers.

“The Chin People arrested while working or even while staying at home. Others were detained at the Thailand-Malaysia border while attempting to enter Malaysia through illegal routes. Since they lacked complete documentation, they were prosecuted under immigration laws, with some being sentenced to prison, while others were released with the help of Chin organizations. The situations vary from person to person,” according to a Chin residence in Malaysia.

Most Chin People arrested occurred in apartments where foreign nationals reside, workplaces, factories, and locations that received public complaints.

“In areas with a high number of foreigners, the arrests are harsher. Also, places where alcohol-related fights, frequent altercations, murders, or stabbings occur tend to face more frequent arrests. Among us Chin people, fights often break out when people are drunk, and there’s shouting and swearing. It’s best to avoid such situations as much as possible,” another Chin woman in Malaysia commented.

Throughout February, there were at least five incidents of fights among the Chin community in Malaysia, including an incident where a Chin woman was stabbed to death.

As of today, undocumented migrant workers continue to face arrests across various cities and states in Malaysia, with Chin people among those being detained.

Even after serving prison sentences following their arrests, detainees are required to bear their own expenses for deportation back to Myanmar.

Source: Zalen