PUTRAJAYA needs to rebuild trust among undocumented migrants and refugees if the Covid-19 vaccination programme among these groups is to be a success, rights groups said today.

Tham Hui Ying, the executive director of Asylum Access Malaysia (AAM) said that the mass raids and arrests of undocumented migrants during the lockdown periods last year have eroded their confidence.

“There is a massive trust deficit after everything that has happened in the past year. 

“I think that there is going to be a lot that has to be done in order to rebuild the trust within the community,” she said during the virtual launch of Amnesty International’s Report 2020. 

Last year, Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob publicly encouraged undocumented migrants to come forward for Covid-19 testing, promising that they would not be detained. 

However, the authorities later descended on several areas in Kuala Lumpur, rounding up thousands of people in a move that sparked widespread condemnation. 

Early this year, the government announced that the Covid-19 vaccination programme will be extended to all foreigners in the country. 

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin encouraged undocumented migrants to come forward to get the Covid-19 jabs, saying that they will be vaccinated without risk of being detained. 

Tham said that raids and arrests last year has caused a trust deficit.

Hence, in order to regain their trust, Tham suggested that Putrajaya implement a non-detention policy or directive for these groups when they come for vaccination. 

The government should also repeal or have a moratorium on compelling health service providers to report these groups of people to the police or immigration authorities. 

“All levels of government should understand and consistently adopt this policy of non-detention of undocumented persons, refugees and asylum seekers (thus) ensuring they will not be detained when they come forward for vaccination,” she said. 

Tham also said that the government should work closely with UNHCR Malaysia, civil society organisations and community-based organisations in implementing the vaccination plan. 

“Having good coordination is very important in encouraging participation among the communities,” she said, adding that vaccine information should be translated into various languages for refugees and undocumented migrants. – April 7, 2021.