Myanmar refugees in Malaysia protest against regime elections

Guest contributor

Séan Donal Barry

Myanmar’s refugee community in Malaysia held a protest at a community centre in Kuala Lumpur’s Pudu district on Friday against the military regime elections set to begin Sunday.

“Our assembly may be stopped, but our voice shall not be silenced,” said organiser James Bawi Thang Bik, the chairperson of the Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR).

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) states that 190,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from Myanmar – including a significant Rohingya population – are registered in Malaysia. But acknowledges the true number is likely far higher.

Organisers said permission was not granted by Malaysian authorities, which would have left those attending exposed to risk of arrest and possible deportation due to legal status.

The Dec. 26 protest in Kuala Lumpur brought together members of Myanmar’s Bamar, Chin, Kachin, Shan, Arakan, Karen, Karenni and Mon community.