Malaysia urged to recognize Myanmar refugees
The founder of Refuge for the Refugees Heidy Quah called on the Malaysian government to recognize Burma nationals, who’ve fled to Malaysia, as “prima facie refugees” and to grant them protection from deportation. This is a legal framework that grants refugee status based on clear and general conditions of conflict or persecution without requiring individual assessments.
“This is crucial to saving lives, and keeping people from [Burma] from being forced into military conscription,” Quah said in a statement following the launch of Stand With Myanmar, a two-day arts and culture event held June 21-22 to mark World Refugee Day. Malaysia deported 80 Burma nationals on May 28, according to the Alliance of Chin Refugees (ACR) in Kuala Lumpur.
Fortify Rights called on Malaysia to end the use of torture inside Immigration Detention Centers and to stop arbitrary arrests and raids of undocumented migrants. Malaysian authorities have arrested 34,287 individuals, an average of 7,800 per month from January to May this year. This is more than triple the 2023 rate of 2,300 and nearly double the 2024 rate of 3,900.
A forecast of rains and floods until end of June
Independent metrologist Win Naing warns that heavy rainfall in Sagaing, Ayeyarwady, and Bago regions, as well as Kachin, Mon, Karen and Arakan states could cause flooding until the end of June. He urged residents living along riverbanks to evacuate to higher ground. The southwest monsoon in the Bay of Bengal is likely to cause very strong winds which can blow up to 30 miles (48 km) per hour and cause waves of up to 12 feet (3.6 metres).
“The level of the Irrawaddy River continues to increase but has not yet reached a critical level. People residing along the riverbanks in Hinthada, Nyaungdon and Ingapu townships [of Ayeyarwady Region] must be cautious,” Win Naing told DVB. Residents from Taungoo Township of Bago Region told DVB that flooding occurred in 10 villages due to the heavy rainfall since June 19, forcing many to evacuate their homes.
A resident of Kinseik village, who was evacuated from his home due to flooding, said the water rose six feet (1.8 metres) on June 20 because of heavy rainfall. Two bridges in Taungoo collapsed due to the flooding, residents reported. The regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology announced on Friday that high waves may occur along the coast due to strong winds in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
Karenni National Day held in Karenni State
The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) announced on Saturday that it had pardoned 28 prisoners and reduced sentences of 148 prisoners to commemorate the 150th Karenni National Day, which was held in Shadaw and Demoso townships of Karenni State, according to the Coordination Team for Emergency Relief (Karenni).
“There were no big events due to ongoing fighting and military operations in the state,” Banyar Aung, the IEC second secretary, told DVB. The IEC chairperson Khu Oo Reh, the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) chairperson Aung San Myint, and members of the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) central committee attended the celebrations.
The Karenni ethnic nationality has commemorated its national day since June 21, 1875. On this date, Burma’s then-Minister of Foreign Affairs Kinwon Mingyi and British Envoy Douglas Forsyth signed an agreement that the Karenni State would remain separate and independent, according to a historical account prepared by Khu Oo Reh.
News by Region
MANDALAY—A source in the regime administration told DVB on the condition of anonymity that an airstrike was carried out on Shwebontha village of Myingyan Township on Wednesday. Myingyan is located 69 miles (111 km) southwest of the region’s capital Mandalay.
The source said that the regime Minister for Security and Border Affairs ordered airstrikes on Myingyan, Taungtha and Natogyi townships, where he suspects People’s Defense Force (PDF) of operating based on information provided from administration staff in the three towns.
NAYPYIDAW—The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on Friday that electronic voting machines will be used to “prevent electoral fraud.” The UEC law was amended on Thursday to allow regime staff members take positions at all levels of the electoral process.
“The amendment allows Min Aung Hlaing to appoint anyone he wants,” a legal professional told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The UEC law, adopted in 2012, previously required electoral sub-commissions to have an independent chairperson, two professionals, and a secretary. Read more
SHAN—Sources close to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) told DVB that it has retreated from the remaining areas of Lashio Township, which was handed over to the regime on April 22, as well as Hsipaw Township on Wednesday.
“The MNDAA does not want to engage in conflict,” Peng De Jun, the MNDAA deputy commander–in-chief, told the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) during a meeting in Lashio’s Thanlwin village on June 17, where MNDAA and SSPP leaders met to resolve territorial disputes. Read more
TANINTHARYI—The National Unity Government (NUG) told DVB that it began recruiting healthcare workers outside of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) for clinics and hospitals in the region on June 17. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, and Lady Health Visitors (LHV).
“Although we have healthcare personnel who are participating in the CDM, the number is not enough in order to provide better healthcare services,” Htoo Nay Aung, the NUG healthcare official for Tanintharyi Region, told DVB.
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