Town lost to outsiders

 

(The Malay Mail) – ETHNIC cleansing in Myanmar that has spilled onto the streets of Selayang – the centre point of communal fighting in Malaysia – has raised pressing questions over how Malaysia allowed the situation to escalate to boiling point.
Undesirable elements, illegal activities and murders of Myanmar in Selayang have been on the police radar and the Immigration Department for a long time, yet they have not brought sanity to the township, locals contend.

They are aghast how the authorities allowed Myanmar to seize control of the streets of Selayang and two major wholesale markets there over the years.

They claimed the authorities were caught off-guard over the rising sectarian violence in Myanmar that bled into Selayang and other parts of the Klang Valley.

They claimed police reacted late on the existence of an alleged radical Buddhist movement known as “969” that was purportedly formed to wipe out Rohingya Muslims here.

They want the affected areas rid of unwanted foreigners and initiate operations in other areas in the Klang Valley that have been invaded by nationals from various countries.

Fighting between Muslims and Buddhists in Selayang and other areas with a large number of Myanmar nationals has claimed two lives.

Two are still in critical condition as of yesterday while four more were recovering from slash wounds.

Malaysia has stepped up law enforcement to prevent such ethnic clashes within the Myanmar community from spreading.

City police have rounded up more than 1,000 Myanmar in a joint effort with the Immigration Department between May 30 and June 4 to quell clashes that threatened to turn into major riots. The operations are ongoing.

Up till yesterday, 274 Myanmar men and nine women were being held at the Jalan Duta and Bukit Jalil immigration detention centres for further investigation.

Kuala Lumpur Immigration enforcement chief James Musa Singa said 67 people were found holding fake United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Malaysia cards while 207 Myanmar did not have documents.

The hotspots in Selayang, home to two big wholesale markets and wet market – located within a kilometre of each other – contain a divided workforce comprising more Muslims than Buddhists.

The squabbling has created trouble for local traders at the market and residents in the township who fear rising tensions will badly affect the social and work environment there.

A reconnaissance by The Malay Mail at the two markets and neighbourhoods in Selayang over the weekend saw a grim picture of a troubled township.

Interviews saw different takes on the issue, but they all agreed that Myanmar have taken over the streets of Selayang.

Fruit-seller Siti Rohaizah, 52, said: “The intimidating large presence of Myanmar has become worse with recent attacks.”

She said there was a drop in customers at the two markets and that traders were worried the situation would not ease despite the recent arrests.

The trader said Myanmar were killing the business of locals by selling goods cheaper right outside or at the parking area close to the markets.

“We don’t dare question them and the reason is simple, we are outnumbered!”

Vegetable seller Samad Salleh, 55, who has been operating there for the last six years said: “We have complained about this to the authorities numerous times but nothing has changed.

“We believe many of them do not have valid papers, but when the Immigration detain them, they miraculously reappear after a few days.”

He said the recent strife was not a new indication of Myanmar involvement in violence.

“There have been many fights and even killings involving rival factions. They become a nuisance after drinking, while some of them take drugs and supply drugs outside the market.

“We give them room to make a living here, but they end up making this place a crime haven.”

Many of the Myanmar are workers while some run their own businesses.

Another trader, who wanted to be known as Lim, said it was puzzling how some of them managed to get licences from City Hall to operate their lots in the market.

He said locals were, however, happy to work with Myanmar, who were hardworking and wanted to make a decent living here.

“This small group is also living in fear and do not turn up for work, giving a headache to employers.”

Lim said the situation had reached a stage where local traders at the markets depended on Myanmar to run their business. “We need foreign workers to ensure our business is not affected, but we can’t be held to ransom.”

A Myanmar national, Ho Maung, 27, said he feared for his safety and that of his brother, even more now following the recent attacks.

“It’s scary and we fear walking around where our fellow countrymen are.

“They randomly ask about our religion, and few a days ago, I was hurled with abusive words for being a Buddhist.

“We have stopped going out and stay in our hostel after work.”