The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) is extremely concerned with reports and allegations of the mistreatment of Burmese migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Malaysia, as indicated in a report released on 23rd of April by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The Malaysian Caucus Chapter of the AIPMC, on behalf of its regional members, calls on Malaysia’s new premier, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, to launch an immediate investigation into the allegations – such as abuse and sale of humans – which are contained in the report.

The Caucus is confident that the Malaysian Government would not look kindly on any such corrupt practices of its government officials and would take all necessary steps to ensure that these events cease to occur under its supervision and to prosecute all those involved in the inhumane practise of trafficking humans. Malaysia’s commitment to international human rights standards must be put to practise right now and ensure protection and justice are accorded to Burmese, and other foreign nationals, made slave to this crime.

Members of the Caucus, comprising multi-party Parliamentarians from ASEAN nations such as Malaysia, looks forward to the government’s immediate and thorough investigation and pledges to offer any support that might be required to ensure that the investigation is done in an open and unbiased manner. The findings of the investigation should also be made public as soon as possible.

The US Senate Committee had undertaken a yearlong research after allegations began to surface on the issue. According to an article by the International Press News Agency (IPS), the report titled “Trafficking and Extortion of Burmese Migrants in Malaysia and Southern Thailand,” is based on first person accounts of extortion and trafficking in Malaysia and along the Malaysia-Thailand border. Committee information comes from experiences of Burmese refugees resettled in the United States and other countries.

For media contact or to facilitate an interview with Parliamentarians, please call: Roshan Jason (AIPMC Executive Director) at +6-012-3750974 or the numbers above.