The Shameless Immigration

I went to the Run for Relief marathon last Saturday. It was a run for Burma - a run to remind all of us that when we are free to run in our country, run is not a choice for some of the community in Burma. Especially the ethnic Chin in Burma, they are being hunted down by junta government of Burma for supporting the opposition and mostly for being a Christian.

After the run, I met Kor, the ethnic Chin Burmese who is now residing in Australia. He is in Australia for about 2 years now. Before this, he was a refugee in Malaysia.

It was disheartening to listen to his story about the persecution of ethnic Chin in Burma. Although he has not seen with his own eyes family members or relatives being killed in front of him, but he has been at the service of carrying his relatives corpses to be buried. I deeply felt for him but surely I would not understand the misery he had gone through. However that was not the end of his misery.

In 2005, he was deceived into believing Malaysia a safe haven and he illegally arrived in KL. He found a job and leading a better life than in Burma until he was rounded up by the immigration of Malaysia. He was sent to a refugee camp somewhere around KL specially for the Chin community. Kor said: "Living in the refugee camp was not much different from our living in Burma. In Burma, we were threatened by the military. In Malaysia, we were threatened by the Rela." The Chin community in the refugee camp is under constant harassment from the Rela, especially extortion of money by them.

The Rela is like a king in Malaysia, even more powerful than the immigration itself. You can read it some of their barbarous act here. Money does not fall from the sky, it will deplete by the constant extortion from the Rela. Now, Malaysia is no noble country. It is country driven by greedy and inhuman people. Most at the top are like that, what more for those at the bottom? Yes, when Kor was out of money, why must the immigration support his living? Wouldn't the money allocated is better to be in the officer's own pocket rather than feeding the refugees?

Finally the day came, Kor was sold for RM300 to be a slave for a fisherman in Klang. It was heard that most refugees will die at the sea and became the food for fishes when their duty is over. Kor would not submit to this kind of fate. He gave a call to his friend to come for his rescue. Fortunately, the friend came and bought him back for RM500.

He didn't go back to the refugee camp. With the help from his friend, he arrived in Australia to seek asylum. The Australian government welcomed him with warm arm. Kor is now a permanent resident and will become an Australian citizen soon. Australian government is supporting his living and education.

What a big contrast between an Islamic and a country with Christianity background. Australian Prime Minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd said last week, "human trafficker should be allowed to rot in jail, and in my own opinion, rot in hell!" That was surely a biblical view of people who lives on others misery and grief. For those wicked in the corridor of power in Malaysia, enjoy your life while you still can. The LORD will surely repay them for their wickedness.

Lastly, pray for the many refugees around the world who are under constant threat from those in authority. Pray also for those who being persecuted for their faith.