VOCR

29th May,2010

Kuala Lumpur


by Salai C C


The People Volunteer Corps also known in terms as RELA of Malaysia violently entered the refugee houses at Jalan Alor, Bukit Bintang on 26th May,2010 where many of refugees stranding and a Chin refugee man was beaten up fiercely during the midnight raid carried out in tandem with immigration and RELA.


The raid period lasted two hours as it was started at 1:00 am and finished at 3:00 am.


It was reported that more than 300 foreigners were rounded up in two hours midnight raid and less than a half number of arrestees were released after checking their documents by the immigration.


Nevertheless, a Chin refugee man named Thang Zaua from Tahan Town and holding refugee status determination (RSD) paper was kept isolated from other arrestees after the RELA brutally beaten him and became unconscious and left much bleeding. He was later rushed to the hospital by ambulance which was called by the RELA as they feared that his condition would be worsening and causing huge problem for the raiders.


Thang Zaua showing his injury at Chin Refugee Committee Office (photo-VOCR)

“Four of his teeth have been broken and torn apart and wounds on his face are stitched in seven places. However, he is believed not to be getting better shortly due to “insufficient medication” a confirmed source revealed. Though being admitted to hospital in time, he might not receive proper medication and the charge will be higher and no discount will be granted since he does not hold UNHCR card but the considering paper.


“Four RELA including two women entered our room and two men suddenly started beating my brother. He was punched and kicked several times till he stumbled down and become unconscious. They didn’t stop beating even though we knelt down and pleaded to forgive him. He was being forced to sit on platform and kept him isolated from others and no one was allowed to approach him during the immigration checking arrestees’ documents in the courtyard” quoted his sister present in the raid as saying to VOCR.


It is no doubt believed that the raid was carried out due to complain came out by the locals who dislike foreigners to stay around that area. As of recently, the raid has been carrying out at anywhere and anytime upon complain made by the locals. Obviously, the scene appears to create highly depressed fear of refugees and other foreigners as well and causing fresh huge problems and vast troubles as numbers of both migrants and refugees had been sent to detention camp.


None of any actions and intensive investigations has been taken so far and it is believed that the episode will be ended like in 2008 when one died and one seriously injury during the raid carried out at Jalan Changkat 9/1.


The home ministry of Malaysia had announced last year of the plan to be increasing the population of RELA up to 2.5 millions by 2012 although 127 organizations including the domestic and international had released the statements to abolish the RELA in December last year.