March 24, 2020 8:00PM EDT

Malaysia: Migrants, Stateless at Extra Risk from Virus

   Ensure All Have Access to Health Care Without Discrimination
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   (New York) – The Malaysian federal and state governments should ensure
   that COVID-19 related health care services are available without
   discrimination to all migrants, stateless people, and refugees, Human
   Rights Watch said today. Urgent measures are especially needed in the
   state of Sabah, which has a large migrant and stateless population.

   The government should carry out multilingual public messaging campaigns
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   arrest or deportation, Human Rights Watch said.

   “Malaysia can’t effectively combat COVID-19 if migrants, stateless
   people, and refugees are unable to get health care because they can’t
   afford it, face discrimination, or fear arrest and deportation,” said
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   Sabah, in particular, has a large population of irregular migrants,
   stateless people, and holders of various refugee passes issued by the
   Sabah state government, as well as oil palm plantations and timber
   concessions that rely heavily on migrant workers. All face serious
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   The two towns in Sabah with the highest reported coronavirus cases are
   Lahad Datu and Tawau, both with large populations of migrants and
   stateless people. For many migrant populations, the potential risk of a
   serious outbreak is compounded by the inadequate sanitation, lack of
   running water, and small, crowded houses that typify these communities,
   Human Rights Watch said. The state capital, Kota Kinabalu, which has
   also reported COVID-19 cases, also has a large migrant and stateless
   population, thousands of whom live on island and coastal communities
   and work in formal and informal sectors in the city.