VOCR
9th Feb, 2009
Kuala Lumpur
By Simon

Recently, two couple of refugees sharing room in a very small and uncomfortable and crowded apartment in suburban area in K.L were arrested and sent straight away into the detention center by the police and Rela that was known later. The raid was caused by the uninvited Chinese fellow visiting befriended in their work and was pursued since long long ago by the police and RELA in accusation of drug-selling. True, police and Rela group swept over them, though they are of UNHCR recognized refugees, living in that apartment together along with the criminal. Weeks had been gone through but never knew of the good news until now.

It was said that it was being attempted to know of their detention number in which the detainees are used to be called when the rescue team comes around. The target in that mission was totally about to arrest the criminal. But refugees who are innocent are sandwiched between the lines.

As a matter of fact, they should have a piece of snail-biking pity on those of refugees living miserably and always stand in awe of fear of police and rela raid that causes hundred of refugees in need to go to the counselors. Still, 96% of refugees from Myanmar see lives in Malaysia is breaking loose of their basic human rights, freedom and what’re abused respectively. All left the country because of the ongoing torture and human rights abuse, religion freedom abuse, labor forced and military recruitment. No one wants to have a double-distress here for it's been extremely tired of such a coarse violations.

According to the information from one of refugee organizations, thousands of refugees are now in several detention centers and they are untouched and unheard but no choice discouragingly waiting in line for the help of UNHCR as if “ the nestling waiting for the feeding of its mom”.
The fates of those jailed in torturing detention centers in some places are especially totally unspeakable grief as well as the unforgettable lifetime story in their minds. Many had had lost hope and future on account of staying very long in the hellish detention centers.
But, we can say that the access towards the detainees is relatively not as high as it calls for although they are on the run helping them get out of those centers. Truth, the final destination of refugees from Myanmar is not Malaysia but third countries accepting them. Malaysia is just a temporary shelter and a cross-by. Nonetheless, thanks be to the government for that sake despite the weak performance over recognizing refugees ( not to be troubled ).

When recently released news from the Star( the People Paper ) speculating around about the possibility of temporary I.D of Malaysia for those of refugees only recognized by UNHCR, thousands of refugees don’t know what to do. It won’t be possible to announce such a very important information to spread the nationwide without having the proper deal with UNHCR itself said some critics.
To refugees, the simple question here is “ Do they have to laugh at it or gladly welcome it ?” Very sad, big though it was for refugees good or bad, no follow-up is seen practically. Many are in awe thinking that whether it was just a trick-ball or a ploy from UNHCR or the Malay government in as much as lack of the follow-ups. No matter how many times it was mentioned about in the news as to UNHCR’s procedures regardless of the alertness of refugees, extortion and arresting and instant raid are like unstoppable machine guns.What the writer here worries over refugee problems is that they would be as a bait.

Claims and alertness for refugees by NGOs and media groups have been dramatically fading away years after years even if they ever did it eagerly from the get-go.It's time to consider widely on this critical issues. More of those of detainees are unreached of help at the same time less of them are reached and heard. The effort by refugee communities ( leaders of that area are refugee, too ) is hardly working out that much.

Thus, there's a big hole in the lives of refugees dilemma in Malaysia before the resettlement program is absolutely completed. Let them who pays ear to this problem understand the truth that prevails.