Ubiquitous migrants in KL
Posted on 14 February 2013 - 05:30am
KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 14, 2013): Like
Malaysians, a majority of the 2.3 million registered foreign workers in
the country are drawn to the nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur.
Hailing mainly from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and Indonesia, many end up working and living in various hotspots in the capital.
Although some Malaysians have keenly accepted their presence and even
stepped up to defend their rights, others view their presence as a
menace, or even a threat, especially during public holidays when the
city seems to be overrun by foreigners.
Upon visiting hotspots as well as tourist destinations to observe the
changes foreign workers have brought, these reporters observed that
several areas had become mini communities for them – a mishmash of
various Asian cultures.
There are shops and services set up by migrants for migrants, such as
the specialty restaurants commonly seen in places like Kota Raya and
Chow Kit which are owned, staffed and patronised by foreigners.
Some enterprising ones have also monopolised services for their
countrymen like getting work permits, flight tickets, jobs and even
illegal trades like prostitution and gambling rings.
However, their presence has changed the city's bustling street markets from Chow Kit to Petaling Street.
Petaling Street, famous for its Chinese roots, have stalls manned by
foreigners employed by local owners, changing the atmosphere and façade
of the iconic street.
Checks with tourists garnered responses such as, "This isn't
Chinatown, it's Southeast Asia Town," and "I don't see any Chinese
here". Such observations stem from the fact that while foreign workers
were easily visible at the front of the stalls, the local owners were
sitting at the back.
It also cannot be denied that there is a strong communal environment
in areas with a high population of foreign workers, so much so that
locals could feel unwelcome.
However, it has been pointed out that safety issues do not stem
solely from foreign workers and that in fact, many troublemakers are
locals.
Malaysian Emergency Medical Services Association community services
director, Doris Chen, said locals must be able to view the bigger
picture and not develop ethnocentrism based solely on perception.
"For one, we rely on many of these people for the country to develop
economically at its current pace, even if we don't realise it," she
said.
Chen added that the general view is that foreigners took away jobs
from locals but in reality, many locals do not want such menial jobs
that pay minimum wages.
Anna, an advertising executive working in Masjid Jamek who declined
to give her full name, said she feels unsafe on the streets when she
sees a group of foreign workers.
"It could be perception, and I'm not against them coming here, but
they should know their place as they are not at home any more," she
said, echoing a sentiment many Malaysians share.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib has said that it is now a
trend for Malaysians to seek the easy way out by hiring foreign
workers.
"Foreigners either help man the stalls, or sometimes they even rent entire shops from locals," Ahmad Phesal said.
He added that the increasing presence of foreign workers is a
sensitive issue as some find their presence advantageous while others
see it as an "invasion", therefore authorities have to take into account
both opinions when taking action.
Locals also feel these migrant workers will settle permanently in the country and cause overcrowding and cultural invasion.
However, Malaysian Karen Organisation joint secretary Saw Tin Aung
dispelled this myth, claiming many foreign workers wish to return home
to their families.
"Of course, they don't want to stay here. They miss their home,
country, food and culture, and most importantly ... their families.
"Many just want to work and save up as much as they can to provide a
more comfortable life for their families back home," he said.
Network of Action for Migrants in Malaysia coordinator Pranom Somwong
said Malaysians should try to understand the reasons behind this mass
migration.
"We need to look at the unique unequal distribution of opportunities
and resources and how this is a major driver of the movement of people.
"The history of migration is the chronicle of peoples' struggle to
survive and to prosper, to escape insecurity and poverty, and to move in
response to opportunity, so migration will always happen," she said.
Pranom further said many countries, including Malaysia, practise
segregation by "keeping migrants in selected areas, out of the
mainstream society".
"As a migrant in an alien country, language and cultural differences are major barriers.
"Much of their frustration stems from Malaysia not having adequate
rights for them, leaving them fearful of arrest, deportation, and
abuse," she said. - The Sun Daily, 14/2/2013, Ubiquitous migrants in KL
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