The Malaysian Insight

CIVIL society groups working with refugees are still in the dark over the government’s Covid-19 vaccination plan for this group. 

While they are happy the government would be giving free jabs for the refugees, they are disappointed in the lack of progress in the vaccination programme. 

They told The Malaysian Insight that the refugee community was also afraid of being detained by the authorities despite a government pledge not to do so. 

Women for Refugees (WFR) founder Arissa Jemaima, 24, said she and her team have yet to be approached by anyone from the government regarding the vaccination for the refugee community they work with. 

“We were very happy when the government announced they will be rolling out free vaccines for all the migrants, including refugees, in the country but unfortunately there has been no update since then. 

“They have to understand the refugee community does not live like how others do. 

“For instance, in a refugee community, it is very much like living in a longhouse, whereby all the families are constantly together as their space is very confined. As such the vaccination for them is very crucial,” she said. 

WFR works with about 30 refugee families on a weekly basis and each family consists of about five individuals. 

She added that the refugees that she worked with have been very receptive towards aid in any forms, especially medical. 

“They understand the financial burden of being a refugee in Malaysia. They believe in the vaccine and will comply with the procedures set,” said Arissa. 

Meanwhile, another social activist, Chow Shenn Kuan, said she was grateful and thankful for the government’s move to provide health inclusion and access towards the marginalised and underprivileged communities.

The co-founder of Kakak works with more than 100 families, each with an average of four household members. 

However she said members of this community still had fear of being arrested when they came out for vaccination. 

She added that if there were police personnel on standby at the venue of vaccination, it was highly unlikely the refugee community under her supervision would go over to get vaccinated. 

“Refugees getting the vaccine have the same level of urgency as any other Malaysian because ultimately we’re all humans who are susceptible to the Covid-19 virus.” 

In February, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said undocumented migrants would not be detained when they come forward to get their Covid-19 vaccinations.

He said the government would be reaching out to foreign embassies, international organisations and civil societies to assist in encouraging undocumented migrants to be vaccinated.

Migrant workers have been hit particularly hard by Covid-19 infections, with clusters springing up across the factory and construction sectors. 

Khairy, who is also the coordinating minister for the National Covid-19 immunisation programme, said the government must build trust with refugee communities so they, too, will come forward willingly for vaccination.

Refugees worried over safety

Azzaz, a 49-year-old refugee, meanwhile said he is ready to get his vaccination as he understands how crucial it is for the safety of his family. 

“I go out to work on a daily basis, which is why I would want to take the vaccine. I want to be protected so that I won’t infect my family,” he said. 

Other refugees like Ayub, 50, and Kassum, 41, said they feared arrest when they turned up for their jabs. 

“I am actually not aware of the government giving out free vaccination to us and what I heard from my friends is that Malaysians get it for free whereas we have to pay RM500. 

“I rather have the civil society groups do the vaccination for us instead of the government since we have a better relationship and trust them more. 

“Also having the groups give us the vaccine will help us in terms of language barrier as they always have someone who could communicate with us with our language,” said Ayub. 

Malaysia is currently on phase one of its vaccination programme for front-liners. The second phase will start on April 17. 

A total of 9.4 million vaccine recipients are targeted in the second phase involving high-risk groups including the elderly, chronic patients, people with disabilities and individuals with co-morbidities.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as of end of January, there are some 178,710 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the agency in Malaysia. – April 5, 2021.