WELCOME HOME, HEROES: MYANMAR COMMUNITY THANKS MALAYSIA’S SMART

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- The Myanmar community in Malaysia gathered on Monday in a display of gratitude to welcome home the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), following their perilous earthquake relief mission in Myanmar.

In a statement by the Coalition of Burma Ethnic Malaysia (COBEM), dozens of ethnic minority representatives from Myanmar gathered at the SMART headquarters in Pulau Meranti, Puchong, to honour the team upon their return from earthquake-stricken Myanmar.

The community presented the team with flowers and traditional scarves as tokens of appreciation for their bravery and sacrifice.

They also held up a heartfelt banner reading “Welcome home, our heroes – SMART Team! Thank you for helping our people” at the entrance of the SMART headquarters. 

The Malaysian team departed for Naypyidaw, Myanmar, on March 30, two days after a devastating earthquake struck the conflict-torn country, to carry out a humanitarian aid mission and participate in search and rescue (SAR) operations for earthquake victims.

Braving aftershocks, military airstrikes and the threat of landmines, the Malaysian team conducted SAR operations amid collapsing infrastructure and limited resources.

Their mission led to the successful recovery of seven victims, including one survivor found alive under the rubble.

“No words can express how grateful we are to the SMART team for responding so quickly to the disaster.” 

“It’s even more touching that they sacrificed their Hari Raya celebrations for this,” said James La Seng, who presented the community’s gifts on behalf of COBEM. 

He explained that many Myanmar refugees in Malaysia are unable to return to their homeland to assist with relief efforts due to safety concerns. 

James also praised the Malaysian government for its commitment of RM10 million (US$2.3 million) in humanitarian aid for Myanmar, saying it reflects true regional solidarity.

“This gesture of compassion, especially under Malaysia’s leadership as the 2025 ASEAN Chair, demonstrates true humanitarian leadership.” 

“We hope all other ASEAN nations follow Malaysia’s lead in prioritising humanitarian values above all,” he said. 

COBEM and other Myanmar individuals in Malaysia have raised over RM90,000 to support relief efforts through trusted non-governmental organisations working directly in affected areas.

Meanwhile, Jaw Tu Hkawng, a Kachin refugee, expressed deep appreciation for the SMART team's efforts, saying the Myanmar community in Malaysia felt helpless when the earthquake struck, as their people back home were already suffering under the junta's rule. 

He said the community was deeply moved by the humanity and compassion shown by the SMART team during such a critical time.

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 171,000 Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers are registered in Malaysia, most of whom fled following the 2021 military coup that plunged the country deeper into civil war.

-- BERNAMA