THE sight of undocumented foreigners being chained and handcuffed together during a raid in Petaling Jaya earlier today has got first-term MP Maria Chin all riled up, saying no one should be treated with such indignity.

The Petaling Jaya MP told The Malaysian Insight it was sad to see men and women being handcuffed and chained together like common criminals.

“The prejudice and discrimination they are facing are totally unacceptable.

“No one should be treated with such indignity especially at a time of a crisis like this. These migrants have been struggling during the movement control order (MCO).

“They have been left stranded because they are unable to earn a living during this time and unlike Malaysians, do not qualify for any of the government welfare schemes,” Maria said.

Earlier today, Immigration officers raided the PJ Old Town area, which had been under an enhanced movement control order (EMCO) after a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.

Migrants and residents there have been barred from leaving their homes until the authorities test everyone for the virus and the EMCO is lifted.

“Many of the migrants work at the Jalan Othman market and with petty traders in and around Petaling Jaya.

“There must be some procedure to evaluate the immigration status of each of them and to consider giving them proper documentation to allow them to continue working. Many traders still need their assistance.

“It is unfortunate and regrettable that the authorities are still choosing to round up migrants in the area although I have spoken against such violations of rights,” said Maria.

Immigration Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud, who was at the scene, told reporters that around 200 undocumented migrants were detained.

“The estimated number of people detained for now is around 200, made up of Indonesian, Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani nationals.

“All of them are from EMCO areas and are already quarantined and have been checked by the Health Ministry.

“No one has tested positive for the virus. No risk for them to be brought to our depots, ” he said.

Maria, however, questioned Putrajaya’s decision to go after migrant communities.

“There is extreme fear within migrant communities to come forward for testing because of the large numbers being arrested.

“Migrants have played a key role in our economy for many years and we should not simply be rounding them up and deporting them now without clear policies. What will happen to the employment gaps that they leave behind.”

She also said many undocumented migrants enter Malaysia through legal means but face significant hurdles in the process of renewing their work permits.

Migrant rights group Tenaganita also hit out at Putrajaya for carrying out the raid.

“That’s the pattern now. Place an area under EMCO, then conduct a raid and to get rid of undocumented migrants,” said Tenaganita director Aegile Fernandez.

“Sending them home without having to pay their salaries and other dues is really sad. This should never happen.”

Similar raids have also been conducted in other areas under lockdown. Among the areas were Selangor Mansion, Malayan Mansion and Menara One City Plaza near Jalan Masjid India in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Human rights groups have condemned the raids but Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said the raids were carried out according to the law.

“Every country carries out similar action and what we did was based on the law. There is nothing wrong with the raids and arrests,” the defense minister had said. – May 20, 2020.