Over 400 illegal Myanmar migrant workers were arrested by the Malaysian authorities in Taman Len Seng Township in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 5 August.

According to Sayar LL, a legal worker in Malaysia who lives in Taman Len Seng Ward where the illegal migrant workers were arrested, the Malaysian authorities arrested them at 1:30 am on 5 August.

He said: “A large number of Chin ethnic people lived in the three apartments in Taman Len Seng ward that were raided by local authorities early in the morning. Typically, the local authorities raid only one apartment at a time. Unfortunately, they raided three apartments where it was mostly illegal workers staying. The local authorities arrested illegal workers and their family members, including children.”

The arrested workers are being detained at immigration detention centres in Taman Len Seng Township and face an uncertain future as they await the results of legal processes.

Many Burmese nationals choose to migrate to Malaysia illegally due to the economic challenges and limited job prospects in Myanmar.