I REFER to this article, which came out yesterday.

A refugee child I know, forwarded this article to me, and asked me if I could do anything to stop another mass persecution of refugee, stateless and migrant communities – yes, children included. She seems to think I could do something to change the minister’s mind. I didn’t have the heart to tell her, there’s very little I can do. I cannot change the heart and minds of those who hate others for no reason. I cannot change the minds of those who insist that poor and already and marginalised “foreigners”, undocumented, include those who have fled their countries in fear or have been born and raised in this country. They are deemed as an “other” – pariahs in this country we must get rid of! I cannot change the minds of those, who parrot old and outdated policies that have nothing to do with the federal constitution or best interest of the child, and everything to do with kowtowing to political views and promoting xenophobia. I cannot tell this child this.

What I can do is to appeal to the general Malaysian citizen and person living in this country.

This move, by Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin, to begin again, the mass raids and detention of undocumented migrants, makes no distinction of refugees or stateless or migrants, in general, and is counterintuitive and unproductive! We have a pandemic raging in this country. We need to vaccinate people living in this country! This move, to raid, detain and strike fear in vulnerable and the poorest of communities that is against public health experts’ advice; it negatively impacts the vaccination rollout and does not address nor curb the periodic increase in cases or clusters expected.

From January till now, 23 persons, including two children, died, in immigration detention centres. We know, from reports, that the Covid-19 pandemic, raged through prisons and places of detention. We had more than 9,000 cases reported yesterday. Could the minister explain to us, how Malaysia is expecting to reach 70% herd immunity if you disregard and ignore the public health duty of vaccinating everyone in this country – this means migrants, the stateless and refugees? Isn’t this move in direct opposite to what National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Coordinating Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced, that migrants and the undocumented will have no fear of being arrested if they step forward for vaccination? Step forward and be tested? What happened the first time last year? Is the horror going to repeat itself again? Hundreds if not thousands of migrants, undocumented and refugees were rounded up and sent to detention camps.

The average Malaysian who has no idea who these people and communities are, might join the chorus of hate and anger, in asking these “others” to go home. Go home, where? Many stateless people were born and raised in this country. Many are generations of stateless people, living in this country, who are Malaysians but can’t prove it. Will the home minister and his officers, take the time to ask questions and give these people, the benefit of the doubt? What about registered and unregistered refugees? What about migrants who have been abused and have been fired from companies since last March when the movement-control order, was first issued? Are we going to penalise all these people, trapped here? Go home, where? So many are already not allowed to work legally in this country. So many have lost their day jobs, the roofs over their heads, children are not in school and are driven out on to the streets. Go home, where? My house? Sure, I’ve already adopted many of the children, abandoned and are guardian to many more. Support them? Sure, so many of my friends, fellow activists and neighbours, band together to bring food and comfort to those persecuted the last time. But isn’t it better if the government takes responsibility for a public health issue and try to do no more harm?

Yes, we help Malaysians too, those in need. Why do we have to only give compassion to Malaysians and those abroad? We will scream and yell at the top of our voices to help refugees bombed in their homeland. But if they flee these countries to come here, we refuse to help. We raid their homes here, deny their children food and schooling and we tell their pregnant mothers to pay expatriate rates for hospital deliveries, or let their critically ill children wait and die. That’s what we do! Isn’t there is enough room for mercy and compassion for all in this country?

During this terrible, terrible time, let us take care of one another. So many are suffering, so many are in need. Why can’t we show compassion and mercy, I ask? We’re not taking away any resources from Malaysians in need to help non-Malaysians. We’re helping all. Can the minister and the government of Malaysia please find it in their hearts to stop these raids and spare the children and their families. Allay the fears of children, who cannot understand why you hate them and want to detain them. Give me a reason and an explanation to convey to this child who highlighted this article that there will be no more undue harm. Please.

Better yet, leave them alone. Let them be vaccinated too… without fear so that all of us, living in Malaysia can live safely during the darkest of days. I implore you, all Malaysians and those living in this country, to convey this message to the home minister. – May 30, 2021.

* Tini Zainudin is a child activist.

* 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.