Myanmar woman killed by train while fleeing Malaysian immigration raid amid crackdown on undocumented workers

Myanmar woman killed by train while fleeing Malaysian immigration raid amid crackdown on undocumented workers
Published 8 October 2024

A Myanmar woman was struck by a train and killed while fleeing from an operation called "Operasi Mega," in Malaysia, according to Myanmar workers residing in the country. It has been reported that, in connection with the operation, Myanmar workers have been continuously arrested.

"The woman who passed away was hit by a train and died while fleeing the operation. I don’t know the exact details," said one Myanmar worker living in Malaysia.

On the evening of October 5, around 7 PM, in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan District, 38-year-old Khin Soe Moe Latt from Indagaw, Bago Region, was struck by a train and killed while fleeing from Malaysian authorities conducting an operation, according to some Myanmar workers in Malaysia.

It was reported that the Hindu Myanmar Funeral Assistance Association (Malaysia) and the Myanmar Social Welfare Association (Malaysia) helped with funeral arrangements at Seremban General Hospital.

In recent days, there have been ongoing arrests of Myanmar workers as a result of operations conducted by Malaysian authorities, a resident of Penang reported.

"Recently, they raided restaurants and barbershops in Penang as part of an operation. Since some Myanmar workers couldn’t provide documentation, they were taken away. I don’t know the exact number, but the raids have become quite frequent recently," said a Myanmar worker residing in Penang.

During a raid on a restaurant in Penang on October 6, complaints reported that the Penang Immigration Department inspected three food businesses, a barbershop, a mini-mart, and some other places, resulting in the arrest of a total of 43 Myanmar nationals—28 men and 15 women. Fourteen supporting documents were issued for further investigation, and employers and business owners are expected to be prosecuted according to current laws, according to Star MM, which covers news related to Myanmar workers in Malaysia.