Narinjara News,  3 March 2023

Four Rakhine workers, who were arrested and imprisoned in Malaysia for enteringthe country illegally, are about to be released soon. Now they want to contacttheir families in Myanmar before their return, said a Rakhine social worker inMalaysia.

Those who will released include Ko Than Aung (son of U Shwe Oo) from Thay Gonevillage and Ko Kyaw Tin Soe (son of U Kyaw Maung) from Nga Gok Taek villageunder Sittwe township, Ko Maung Wana (son of U Tun Hla)  from Sapar Sikevillage under Ponna Kyung township and Ko Mea Thee Aung (son of U Maung U Kyaw)from Shwe Pye village under Kyauk Taw township.

They will be released from the prison during the second week of March and theynow want to communicate with their families, said Ko Khain Min,who is helping Rakhine workers in Malaysia.

While talking to Narinjara News, he added that they are about to be released,even though dates have not been revealed. According to the prison authoritiesthey would be released next week and hence they need to contact with theirfamilies in Myanmar.

They all were arrested and imprisoned between November and December 2022 asthey travelled to Malaysia without valid documents, and they were imprisonedfor 3 to 6 months.

 "They were arrested by the Malaysian police from their dormitories. Theylived under poverty and some are still in poor health. To ensure their easyreturn, the Rakhine workers want to communicate with their families,” he added.

There may be 700  Rakhine workers in Malaysia, who are imprisoned, for allegedlyentering the country for jobs where they have been supported by the Arakanrefugees assistance group.

Even though Rakhine State is rich in natural resources, its successive governmentshave failed to benefit the common Arakanese people. The federal government hasnot created employment opportunities in the region and hence many Rakhineindividuals prefer to go abroad for work
and a better life to their families.

A large number of people, who are arrested in the neighboring countries fortravelling without necessary documents, often face physical harassment from thebrokers and human traffickers and some of them have even died while travellingto Malaysia.