Staying alive: Burmese migrants in Malaysia (Part 2)

Life in Malaysia’s Secret Immigration Prisons
Reporter: Kyaw Min Htun

Kyaw Min Htun: We have learned there were 46 illegal Burmese citizens, four of whom were women, on the bus that lost control and overturned on September 11, 2007, near the city of Baling at the Thai-Malay border, The bus overturned around 4:30 p.m., and five Burmese people died on the scene. The New Straits Times newspaper, published on September 12, wrote that the Malaysian immigration officer on the bus, however, was only slightly injured. They said that those who were severely injured were sent to separate hospitals immediately, and four were sent to Sungai Petani hospital, five to Alor Star hospital, and four to Baling hospital. One of the Burmese people died before reaching the hospital, and some of the injured died at the hospital.

Staying alive: Burmese migrant workers in Malaysia

From RFA’s Burmese service
Reporter: Kyaw Min Htun

Kyaw Min Htun: On July 24, 2007, in the northern part of Malaysia, a small black Naza Ria car, with 15 illegal Burmese citizens secretly crowded into it, collided with a truck carrying iron ore. In this accident, nine of the Burmese citizens, who had come in from the Thai-Malaysia border, died on the scene. According to the investigation by the Malaysian police, the car belonged to a human trafficking gang at the border. But, the media did not mention details, such as where the human trafficking gang was and who they were.

China: Labour activist shows his injuries after attack

The video shows an interview by RFA’s Cantonese service with Huang Qingnan, a labour activist beaten and stabbed during attacks on a migrant workers’ centre in Shenzhen. He shows the reporter that his leg is permanently damaged, with a huge hole in his lower leg. He will need to walk on crutches for the rest of his life, according to an orthopaedic specialist.