November 29th, 2025 - Hundreds of Undocumented Migrants Have Died in Malaysian Custody

Ben Za Min, a 32-year-old migrant from Myanmar, was detained by Malaysian authorities in September during an immigration raid aimed at curbing the rise of undocumented immigrants in the country. Originally from Myanmar’s Chin State, he had fled the country after the military junta seized power in 2021, leaving behind his government job to join the pro-democracy protests. After seeking refuge in India, he eventually made his way to Malaysia, where he worked illegally in construction to support himself.

On September 4, Ben Za Min was arrested during a raid at his workplace in northern Malaysia, along with a dozen others. His sister, Lin, who remains in Myanmar, later recounted that he did not mention any injury when they spoke, leading her to believe the cut on his leg, which later caused his death, must have occurred during his detention. Just weeks after his arrest, Ben Za Min died in a hospital from septic shock, after being admitted for treatment following the worsening infection.

His death adds to a troubling pattern of fatalities among detained migrants in Malaysia. Since 2020, over 300 undocumented migrants have died in custody, according to government data. Human rights advocates have repeatedly criticized Malaysia’s immigration policies, citing overcrowded detention centers, inadequate medical care, and harsh conditions that have contributed to these deaths. Ben Za Min’s case is particularly concerning because he had been waiting for his refugee status to be processed at the time of his arrest.

The Malaysian government, which has been ramping up arrests of undocumented immigrants, has faced mounting pressure over its treatment of asylum seekers, especially those fleeing persecution from countries like Myanmar. Activists argue that even those who have been granted refugee status have faced prolonged detention or deportation without proper assessments from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Asylum seekers from Myanmar, including ethnic Chin and Rohingya Muslims, have become increasingly vulnerable as Malaysia tightens its immigration policies.

A recent investigation by human rights organizations revealed that many detainees in Malaysian immigration centers are subjected to inhumane treatment, including overcrowded cells, inadequate food, and no access to medical care. Despite the growing criticism, the Malaysian government has continued to implement strict enforcement measures against illegal immigration, with officials arguing that they are necessary to maintain national security and manage the increasing influx of migrants.

Ben Za Min’s family has expressed their outrage over the lack of medical care he received while in custody, believing that if he had been treated properly, he could have survived. His death has highlighted the broader issues within Malaysia’s immigration detention system, sparking calls for greater accountability and for the government to take urgent steps to address the conditions that have led to the deaths of so many undocumented migrants.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Exculpatory (adj, ek-SKUL-puh-tor-ee) - Something described as exculpatory serves to prove that someone is not guilty of doing something wrong.

Example: Their lawyer presented insurmountable exculpatory evidence at the trial.

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