Don't create ghettos in Kuala Lumpur - activists

Following City Hall's proposal to fence up the Selayang wholesale markets to deal with the overwhelming Myanmar community, certain groups have expressed a preference for more grassroots-level measures in dealing with individual cases.

The market has seen violent clashes between warring Myanmar factions, suggesting their problems at home have now spilled into Malaysia. Many illegal activities also take place at back lanes and parking lots, including the sales of drugs and illegal cigarettes.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib had said the areas would be fenced up "like a fortress" within a month, with an Immigration checkpoint thrown in for good measure.

However, Bar Council Human Rights Committee co-chairman Andrew Khoo said fencing and heavy policing may be counterproductive, as it may only heighten existing tension.

"NGOs should carry out ground-level policing to address community-related problems before they escalate.

Policing should be done to protect the community, not heighten concerns for their own safety," he told The Malay Mail.

He also said the issue of whether migrants are undocumented or not should not just be restricted to Selayang.

"There should be adequate check points set up at immigration entry points all over the country. Furthermore, some of them may simply be refugees or asylum-seekers, not trouble-makers," he said.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president N. Surendran said placing the blame on entire groups of people is "not the Malaysian way".

"It is unfair to treat all migrant workers as undesirables. They are brought in to help develop the nation and its economy," he said, adding Malaysia's industrial sectors would be badly affected without them.

"I don't think fencing is the solution. We should not be treating our own city areas as if they are ghettos," he said.

"Any illegal activities should be dealt with proper law enforcement."

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Tan Sri Hasmy Agam said the practicality of the plan should be studied in-depth, given its possible implication to Malaysians, such as restriction of right to movement.

"It is equally important for them to ensure that any intended security measures address the issue holistically," he said.

- The Malay Mail