“The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the way of the wicked.” (Psalm 146:9, NIV)
There is great suffering, despair and anxiety amongst many migrants and refugees in Malaysia. Often this is hidden, even though they are a visible part of Malaysian society. Official statistics indicate that there are 2.1 million documented migrant workers in Malaysia. An estimated 1 million more reside with irregular status. In addition, there are over 100,000 asylum seekers, refugees and stateless persons from 44 countries who seek refuge from persecution and conflict in Malaysia.
At least one in four workers in Malaysia is a non-citizen. Our economy is foreign labour dependent – in other words, we would not have a functioning economy, much less enjoy sustained economic growth, without their labour. Our economy is dependent on both documented migrants and migrants with irregular status.
Over the past two decades, the government of Malaysia has increased its efforts at reducing the number of migrants with irregular status in the country. Instead of issuing sufficient documents for all migrant workers and introducing laws to recognize refugee status, Malaysia has embarked on intense ‘crackdowns’ to arrest, detain and deport migrants. In 2002, the government changed the Immigration Act to become more restrictive and punitive, introducing whipping for immigration offences. In 2005, it authorized RELA, a volunteer organization, to conduct these operations.
Although we see migrants and refugees on a daily basis – at work in construction sites, restaurants, and in Malaysian homes – they are often strangers to us. Most of us don’t want to get to know them or to build friendships. We have our own problems to solve, our own burdens to carry. We are trained to fear and hate ‘illegals’, so we try to avoid contact. They remain in the background, in the shadows of our lives.
What is the situation of migrants and refugees in Malaysia, and how should we respond as Christians?
God’s Instruction Concerning Foreigners in our Midst
Many key figures in the Bible were migrants, such as Abraham in Canaan (Genesis 17:8), Moses in Midian (Exodus 2:22), and Jacob in Ham (Psalms 105:23). Some were sold into slavery, such as Joseph (Genesis 37:28), taken from their homelands to serve in other countries, such as Daniel (Daniel 1:3), or taken into exile, such as Esther (Esther 2:5-8). The disciples and apostles of the early Church – Peter, Paul, John, and Thomas amongst others – traveled extensively outside of their own birthplaces. Their ability to move, preach and find hospitality in other countries resulted in the swift spread of the gospel.
Key figures in the Bible were also refugees. Moses had to be hidden in a basket and put into a river because Hebrew boys were being systematically murdered (Exodus 1:22-2:3). Joseph and Mary had to escape to Egypt with baby Jesus to avoid being killed by Herod (Matthew 2:13-15). Can you imagine the course of history if they didn’t find safe refuge?
God’s teaching is very clear on how we are to treat ‘aliens’ or ‘foreigners’ who live amongst us. There are two types of instructions – how we should treat them and how we should not treat them.
How should we treat them?
We are to have the same law for them as we have for ourselves (Leviticus 24:22), treat them the way we treat our own people, and love them as we love ourselves (Leviticus 19:34). We are to help them (Leviticus 25:35), give food and clothing out of love for them (Deuteronomy 10:18-19), and be generous to them (Deuteronomy 24:19-22).
When God gave instructions for how land should be divided between the tribes of Israel in Ezekiel 47:21-23, He said:
You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the aliens who have settled among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. In whatever tribe the alien settles, there you are to give him his inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord. (NIV)
This is how we should treat ‘foreign spouses’ in Malaysia!
God also gave clear instructions about how we should not treat foreigners. These instructions were warnings with curses if breaches were made.
We are not to oppress them (Exodus 22:21; Jeremiah 7:6) mistreat them (Leviticus 19-33-34) or deny them justice (Ezekiel 22:29; Deuteronomy 24:17). If we withhold justice from them, we will be cursed (Deuteronomy 27:19). God says in Malachi 3:5 that He watches and judges quickly those who “defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice…” (NIV).
A Christ-like Attitude When Working with Migrants and Refugees
In Malaysia, most migrants and refugees, in particular those in an irregular situation, are in a weaker position than Malaysians – they are often poorer and more vulnerable to harassment, bullying and extortion. It is easy to be arrogant, proud and judgmental when interacting with them.
We often hold stereotypes in our minds about who migrants and refugees are and whether or not they should be in Malaysia. We forget our own migrant histories – how our forefathers came, mostly without passports and often with very little money, from what are now India, China, Indonesia, and other parts of the world. Some fled persecution and poverty while others sought better futures and new experiences.
Christ is far stronger and more powerful than us. He is our perfect example of how we should approach those who are weaker and more vulnerable to us.
Christ came to us motivated by love. He teaches us that the two most important commandments are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbour as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:27). Jesus clarified that ‘neighbour’ included those who are not of our same identity through the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Paul tells us that all we do is nothing if not accompanied by love (1 Corinthians 13). Love leads us to serve one another. Galatians 5:13-14 says, “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (NKJV)
Christ is humble, meek and gentle with us. He recognizes our burdens and seeks to give us rest. He says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29, NKJV). Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:20). We are to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, NKJV).
Christ is also patient and long-suffering with us. Helping migrants and refugees can be frustrating, especially when we keep facing obstacles. You may feel upset when dealing with hard-hearted employers who refuse to pay their workers money, get tired when visiting migrants and refugees in detention, or wonder how long you have to continue providing financial support to destitute families. It is easy to get emotional and physically drained from helping others because the problems seem never-ending. Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (NKJV)
Christ relied on His Father for strength, wisdom and resources. He trusted His Father. He was careful to do what the Father wanted, rather that doing things His own way (John 10:37). He tells us to do the same (Matthew 12:5; 7:21). In our work with migrants and refugees, we need to trust God to lead us to do the right things, at the right time, in the right ways, and with the right attitudes. In exchange for our burdens and sorrows, He gives us joy and strength (Nehemiah 8:10); He gives us rest and restoration of our souls (Psalm 23). We are not called to save the world – we are called to follow Him.
Christ and Advocacy
God calls us to advocate for others who are weaker than us. We are to: “Defend the poor and fatherless: Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4, NKJV). Proverbs 31:9 says, “Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy” (NKJV).
The Oxford English Dictionary defines an ‘advocate’ as “a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy” or “a person who pleads a case on someone else’s behalf”. There are many activities that constitute ‘advocacy’, ranging from speaking to your friends and family about something you believe in, writing an article, posting comments on online newspapers, speaking at seminars, or meeting with government officials. Advocacy can be done individually or in groups; it can be done privately or publicly. You may not feel comfortable speaking in public, but you may feel comfortable supporting individuals through a court case, or helping them talk to a doctor or nurse in a health facility. We can do advocacy in a number of ways.
We may feel nervous about advocacy, especially if we have not done it before. God repeatedly told His people – Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Mary and Paul, amongst others – not to be afraid as He led them onto new paths. This is the most frequent command in the Bible! We should not be afraid because God protects us (Psalm 91).
Conclusion
God’s instructions about how we are to treat foreigners are very clear. They stem from His great and gracious love for people of all tribes, nations, and tongues. We have amongst us migrants and refugees with desperate needs. Let us not close our eyes and ears; let us not harden our hearts. Let us obey God, and respond by loving and caring for them generously, by defending those who are weak and needy. This is the fullness of Christ in Malaysian society; this is how we are salt and light.
