AS we remember the plight of refugees throughout the world today, I would like to share with you Esther’s story. Esther (not her real name) is a Chin refugee living in Petaling Jaya.

I met Esther Naing San Cin on one of the periodic primary care clinics conducted at the Community House. Esther was 17 and could speak English fluently enough to be an interpreter for the patients and volunteer doctor from the Catholic Doctors’ Association Esther was capable and eager to learn – but at the time I met her, she was too busy working to want to do more with her life.

Recently, I met her again, as she had joined the evening class offered by volunteers from the Migrant Ministry for adults who wished to improve their English. It was a challenge to have a consistent class, as many were just too tired after finishing work at 4pm to join a class at 4.30pm. But Esther came regularly, so I decided to explore an option with her.

Your English is good – did you know some English before coming to Malaysia?

Yes, I was in Year 2, so I had some basic English. My mother, sister and I came in
2014 to join my father who came earlier. We came to take care of him.

What happened to your father?

He was in a road accident, then paralysed and taken to a home. He died in the home – something wrong with the tube feed – it was an accident.

We have no choice but to stay on here. When we left – we gave up our home to mybbrothers and we have no money to go back anyway. Mother works washing dishes and I work too, since I was 16 years old. My younger sister is not working. She was 10 years old when we came. I was 13.

Would you be interested in attending a course in hospitality or baking at a special residential school called Montfort? They are taking Myanmar Chin students. But it is residential for two years and you will not be able to work. After the course though, you will have better work options, better pay and working conditions.

I must ask my mother. My salary is RM1,500 and my mother is paid RM1100 - we send money back to Myanmar every month to my grandmother and brothers. We must discuss.

Also, if you agree, we can help you to apply – but nothing is certain until they accept you. Stay at your job until everything is clear.

Her mother, Theresa, said yes, and in due time, I brought both Theresa and Esther to the Montfort Centre to the scheduled interview.

Montfort is a large campus with ordered and trimmed green lungs, playing fields, grottos and quiet spaces for learning. The dormitories were further back, just visible from the office area where we were asked to wait. Next to the office block was a chapel and we could also see the multipurpose hall. Esther was asked to sit for an entrance test while Mum and I waited for her to finish before the interview. Theresa who was usually very quiet and unassuming, indicated to me that she wanted to walk outside and  come to terms with the possibility that her daughter would come and live in this green space that reflected peace and order. She stayed outdoors for more than an hour, coming in with Esther just before noon after she had completed the test.

During the interview with mother and daughter and myself as a sponsor from the Migrant Ministry, some time was spent explaining the regulations and penalties for rule breaking,which included speaking in languages other than Bahasa Malaysia or English, and running away. The interviewer addressed the questions to Theresa, asking Esther to translate.

You understand that if Esther gets a place here, she will not be able to work. Are you okay with the loss of her salary. I see from the application that you will be the only one working if Esther comes here.

Yes, I am okay.

How will you manage financially? Are you now sending money back to Myanmar?

Yes, we send back about RM400 a month. But if Esther is here, maybe we cannot send so much back. We will manage.

The actual cost of study in Montfort is RM1,250 per month. We know your financial situation, so we want to ask, how much you can contribute monthly to Esther’s study?

I can pay RM25 a month.

That interview was more than three weeks ago and we left the place with great hope and prayer that Esther would be accepted. We received the news three days ago that subject to a medical check up. Esther would begin her two years in Montfort on June 30, 2019.

This has already inspired other young refugees in the community to indicate their interest to study at Montfort. This is remarkable given that for some time, the young Chin have only wanted to work for cash, marry early, or stay home to look after children. It is as if a window has been opened and opportunity has knocked and announced its presence.

Esther is only one of the 30,000 Chin now in Malaysia. All of them could aspire to be independent and successful if they would have such opportunities open to them. Yet, sometimes, the very helpless and disempowered state of being refugees or asylum seekers fosters a sense of despair and hopelessness that is difficult to overcome. After a full day working for a mere RM40 per day as a dishwasher or waitress, who can dream of something better?

The Chin refugee situation is yet not resolved as many who are here in Malaysia have no clear indication of their possible acceptance by a 3rd country. Yet Malaysia continues to bring in foreign labour, with all its attendant problems. If we could harness the hidden workforce in the refugee population in the country, Myanmar, Rohingya, etc and provide them with work permits and the necessary training, it would give them a window of opportunity to rebuild their lives and perhaps move on with dignity and the freedom of choice, whether to stay or leave,

As Malaysians, we need to think about how we want this nation to grow. Have we room to accept refugees who wish to stay here and build the country with us? We already accept their labour for a cheap salary – unknowingly playing a part by frequenting restaurants where they work preparing food and washing dishes. Could we not find it in our hearts and minds, to regularise their labour, recognise their dignity as workers, and provide them the necessary work permits that would give them legal status.?

These are questions that need to be considered by all Malaysians – not just the minister of human resources or Immigration Department. What can we do to inspire the powers that be to creatively look at the situation, with a sincere desire for improvement. The refugees are already here; they already work under the radar. Make it legal. Give them their dignity and human rights.

*Patricia Nunis reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.