"Unwanted in Malaysia, Myanmar migrants live in fear,"

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But migrants like Myo Min Tun feel increasingly unwelcome in Malaysia. Particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia has become more hostile to Myanmar migrants and refugees, many of whom are smuggled into the country. Travelling to Malaysia illegally is the only viable option for many dissidents like Myo Min Tun, who face arrest if they try to leave Myanmar at an airport or official land crossing.

Starting on March 1, the Malaysian government introduced a new repatriation programme to encourage illegal migrants to voluntarily surrender themselves to the authorities. The new policy would allow the migrants to be repatriated to their home country without prosecution, but they will need to pay a fine of 300-500 ringgit per immigration offence.

Despite the fine, this would be a tempting offer in normal circumstances, given some undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers have been locked up indefinitely. Migrant rights groups say Malaysia is using a carrot-and-stick approach, having also launched a crackdown in December that has resulted in the arrest of 1,000 illegal migrants so far.

But many are more fearful of returning to Myanmar because of the threat of political persecution, or the dangers of the post-coup civil war. The regime has further incentivised migrants to stay away by introducing a conscription policy to replenish its struggling armed forces, who are facing widespread resistance from an array of armed groups across the country...