Rayhan Kabir says he wants to work with Bangladeshi expatriates working abroad, terming them as “remittance fighters”.
Rayhan was talking to Dhaka Tribune at his home on Saturday about his experience in Malaysia before and after getting arrested by the Kuala Lumpur authorities.
He said: “Against all odds amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladeshi expatriates contributed to the highest ever remittance inflows in July, with migrants sending home a higher amount of money for their families to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha.
“But the miseries of these expatriate workers often remain unheard of. No one knows their stories. My desire to do something for Bangladeshi expatriates is long overdue. That is the goal of my life now.”
Rayhan claimed that he had not said anything wrong in the interview as he wanted to highlight the strenuous struggle put up by expatriates to earn a living.
He said: “Police could not charge me with anything as they had arrested me based on false information.”
It was with great relief that his family members got Rayhan back, after spending weeks in great tension.
Rayhan’s parents along with other members of the family had been concerned since July when Rayhan, a Bangladeshi expatriate in Malaysia, faced the wrath of the country's immigration authorities after appearing in an Al Jazeera documentary.
The Malaysian authorities’ launch of a manhunt for Rayhan and his subsequent detention - all these caused sleepless nights for his family.
However, on Saturday, when he returned home to Narayanganj, all thanked the Almighty and felt an incredible sense of relief.
Rayhan expressed his gratitude to all concerned, including the prime minister, for their cooperation in bringing him back.
A flight of Malaysian Airlines, carrying Rayhan, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 12:55am on Saturday.
Shariful Islam, head of Brac Migration Program, and Rayhan's father Md Shah Alam received him at the airport.
After completing all the immigration formalities, Rayhan arrived in Narayanganj in the early hours of Saturday.
'Endured mental torment'
Rayhan had an emotional reunion with his mother Rashida Begum at home. His mother, with tears in her eyes, queried if the Malaysian police had tortured him when he was in their custody. Other members also got emotional at the reunion.
Rayhan said that although he was not tortured physically after the arrest, he had to endure mental torment.
Also Rad - Malaysia deports Rayhan for highlighting the plight of migrants
He said he had been wearing the same clothes from the time he was arrested until he returned to the country and so could not bring anything from Malaysia.
At Kuala Lumpur airport prior to his departure for Dhaka, Rayhan was given some new clothes to wear by other expatriate Bangladeshis.
Having gone through bitter experience abroad, Rayhan and his family demanded that the Bangladesh government keep a watchful eye on all expatriates.
Meanwhile, relatives and neighbours began to gather at his home from Saturday morning to see him.
Rayhan's younger sister Meherunnesa said: "I have got back my brother and it is a matter of great peace. There is no need for money. He is back to our mother; it is the best comfort."
After passing the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations from Government Tolaram College in Narayanganj in 2014, Rayhan went to Malaysia for higher studies.
In 2017, he completed a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) course from TMC University, Kuala Lumpur, and later was admitted to MBA (Master of Business Administration).
A former acting general secretary of the Malaysia unit of the Chhatra League, Rayhan started working in a private company to cover the cost of his education.
On July 3, Al Jazeera aired a documentary, ‘Locked Up in Malaysia's Lockdown’, which portrayed the mistreatment of migrant workers by the Malaysian authorities.
The documentary projected the Malaysian government's "military-style" raids on migrant communities under the pretext of coronavirus management.
Rayhan, featured in the documentary, expressed concern about the government's actions and consequently faced the wrath of the authorities.
He was arrested on July 24 following a two-week manhunt, after the Immigration Department issued a wanted notice against him. Following his arrest, he was taken into custody by the Malaysian authorities for interrogation.
Subsequently, the Immigration Department decided to deport Rayhan without pressing any charges against him.
In addition to having his work permit revoked, Rayhan was blacklisted from ever entering Malaysia again.
