Myanmar Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia

They fled thousands mile away from their village and end up living in small town call Selayang in north Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia had no refugee law and its 1959 Immigration Act (amended 2002, Immigration Act) made no distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants. Malaysia did not permit refugees and asylum seekers to work. The Immigration Act penalized employers of illegal immigrants and authorities often arrested illegal workers. Many worked in the informal sector without legal protection and authorities harassed them and extorted money under the threat of arrest. Malaysia also did not allow refugees to hold title to or transfer business premises, farmland, homes, or other capital asset.

They fled thousands mile away from their village and end up living in small town call Selayang in north Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia had no refugee law and its 1959 Immigration Act (amended 2002, Immigration Act) made no distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants. Malaysia did not permit refugees and asylum seekers to work. The Immigration Act penalized employers of illegal immigrants and authorities often arrested illegal workers. Many worked in the informal sector without legal protection and authorities harassed them and extorted money under the threat of arrest. Malaysia also did not allow refugees to hold title to or transfer business premises, farmland, homes, or other capital asset.

They fled thousands mile away from their village and end up living in small town call Selayang in north Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia had no refugee law and its 1959 Immigration Act (amended 2002, Immigration Act) made no distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants. Malaysia did not permit refugees and asylum seekers to work. The Immigration Act penalized employers of illegal immigrants and authorities often arrested illegal workers. Many worked in the informal sector without legal protection and authorities harassed them and extorted money under the threat of arrest. Malaysia also did not allow refugees to hold title to or transfer business premises, farmland, homes, or other capital asset.

They fled thousands mile away from their village and end up living in small town call Selayang in north Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Malaysia had no refugee law and its 1959 Immigration Act (amended 2002, Immigration Act) made no distinction between refugees and illegal immigrants. Malaysia did not permit refugees and asylum seekers to work. The Immigration Act penalized employers of illegal immigrants and authorities often arrested illegal workers. Many worked in the informal sector without legal protection and authorities harassed them and extorted money under the threat of arrest. Malaysia also did not allow refugees to hold title to or transfer business premises, farmland, homes, or other capital asset.