Approximately 100 Chin ethnic migrant workers, who had traveled to Malaysia for employment purposes, have been taken into custody by authorities, according to statements from some Chin social organizations and activists in Malaysia.

U Eik Lwin, a representative of a Chin social organization in Malaysia, has reported that a significant number of Chin individuals were detained in the initial and subsequent weeks of August. These detentions occurred in the Cheras region of Kuala Lumpur and also during a church prayer session in the city of Seremban.

"Because a lot of Chin people live in the Cheras area, many were arrested in the raids there. The church prayer session in Seremban is also attended by many Chins, and quite a number of individuals were arrested during one such session”, he told Khonumthung News.

The majority of those arrested were Chin people from Matupi, while Chins who had come to work in Malaysia from Mindat and Rakhine State were also among those detained.

The majority of those who were arrested had arrived in Malaysia without valid documentation. Many are currently in the process of seeking refugee recognition from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They are at risk of facing a maximum penalty of up to 6 months in prison under Malaysian immigration laws and potential deportation back to Myanmar.

"From what we see now, it appears that the Malaysian authorities are planning their actions thoroughly before conducting raids in multiple locations. We are working to talk to the authorities to free those who are held whenever we can. However, the newcomers are still in the process of applying for refugee status with UNHCR, so it's unlikely they will be released”, U Eik Lwin said.

Approximately 200 Myanmar nationals have been detained in Malaysia. Since the beginning of August, Malaysian authorities have intensified their efforts in conducting raids and making arrests in areas where undocumented migrants are known to reside.

Chin social organizations estimate that there could be a population of approximately 100000 ethnic Chins employed in Malaysia, encompassing both individuals with legal status and those without proper documentation.

Humanitarian advocates assisting Myanmar migrants in Malaysia plan to appeal to the Malaysian government, urging them to refrain from deporting the detained Chin ethnic individuals, who were apprehended in August, back to Myanmar.