VOCR
June 14, 2009
Pakananas, Jahor Baru
From 10-11 April 2009, the UNHCR OPI team visited to Pakananas immigration camp in Jahor Baru State and registered around 50 Burmese nationals. During this visit, UNHCR registered around 20 Chin detainees.
According unconfirmed information, some Bangladeshis tried to pose as Rohingya from Burma in order to get attention from UNHCR. One Chin detainee from Tedim Township, Mr. Cin Sian Thang, was detained for a prolonged period of time and has become emotionally unstable in the detention camp due to cruel and harsh treatment. According to immigration law section 6(3), illegal entry to Malaysia may result in a penalty fine up toRM 10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or both.
Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol. However, Malaysia is a member of the United Nations and is obligated to respect certain rights of refugees. Most refugee cases in Malaysia are sentenced six to nine months imprisonment or caning or both.