The Malaysian Insight

MALAYSIANS in Myanmar said they do not feel safe any longer as protests continue to take place on a daily basis, with police and soldiers getting more aggressive by the day. 

Some of them who spoke to The Malaysian Insight said although their daily life proceeds as usual, there is now a renewed fear and worry on how the situation in the military-ruled country will pan out in the coming weeks. 

Protests turned violent yesterday as police fired on protesters in several cities across Myanmar, with the United Nations human rights office saying at least 18 were killed.

Security forces began the violent crackdown on Saturday, after weeks of largely peaceful protests against the 1 February military takeover. 

Johnson Leong, a 54-year-old project manager in Yangon, said he does not feel safe, especially with the increase in protests as well as the police violence against the peaceful protesters and the pedestrians on the road.

He said the situation has gotten very dangerous – which was why he plans to come back to Malaysia later this month. 

“Even the internet speed is very slow and it gets cut off from 1am to 9am daily. We are using virtual private network in order to use applications like Facebook and others. 

“We are also not allowed to withdraw cash directly from the bank. Instead, we have to use the automated teller machines to withdraw, and there is always a long line for it. It is the last thing you would want to go through during this Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. 

He said the Malaysian government should set up an emergency rescue team and contact all Malaysians in Myanmar to brief them on what to do when the situation gets worse. 

Sixty-year-old Lat, who works as an engineer in Myanmar, said there was always tension in the air, especially during the curfew period from 8pm to 4am. 

“I don’t feel like I am that much in danger as protests are usually localised in few locations but I can sense the tension when I pass by as you can even see police in riot gear. 

“I still go out on a daily basis to my office but I will always check Google Maps to avoid traffic jams because if there’s a traffic jam, it means there is a protest going on. 

“I do not support the coup but having said that, the previous government has not been doing a good job to create a conducive environment for investors,” he said. 

Advertising sales agent Andy, who resides in Yangon, is also fearful the situation in Myanmar will escalate very quickly.

“The internet connection is deteriorating as the situation worsens and we can’t seem to conduct our businesses,” he said. 

Another Malaysian, who only wants to be known as Henry, 58, said he gets scared to even go buy groceries since there are police and protesters constantly on the streets. 

He said he was planning to return to Malaysia soon in one of three weekly relief flights that fly to to Kuala Lumpur. 

“Although it is not chaos 24/7 but it can get really scary when protests are taking place, as you can see in videos being circulated online, when the authorities fired shots,” he said. 

Earlier this month, when The Malaysian Insight contacted the Malaysian embassy in Myanmar, they urged Malaysians in the country to remain calm, vigilant, and continue to adhere to the safety advisories of the local authorities with regard to ongoing security. 

The embassy said it had more than 600 Malaysians registered, where most of them comprise businessmen and professionals working with various companies. 

Quite a number of them were with their families, said the embassy. 

Much of the country has been in uproar since troops deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, with large street demonstrations in both urban centres and isolated villages.

Security forces have responded with increasing force, deploying troops against peaceful rallies and firing tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets. – March 1, 2021.