Arakan News Agency
The Rohingya boatpeople incident has drawn the attention of Malaysians over their ill destiny. But as a matter of fact, tens of thousands of Rohingyas have already been living in this country for decades. They have built their own communities here, some boasting their own schools.
According to Malaysian laws, even if foreigners were granted refugee certificates, they are not allowed to work in this country. That said, it has become an open secret that many Rohingyas have been working here although they are denied benefits provided by the government.
Spending most of his life here
Rohingya Information Center deputy chairman Mohamad Rafiq told Sin Chew Daily almost 80% of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia hoped to be sent to a third country while the rest, including himself, hoped that the Malaysian government would grant them citizenships or permanent resident status.
“If we can get the PR status, we would want to live here permanently and would not think of going elsewhere. This is because Malaysia is a Muslim country and we have been living here for so many years.”
Speaking in fluent Malay, the 38-year-old said he had been living in Malaysia for 35 years. Born in Thailand, he followed his mother to travel to Malaysia by foot at the age of three. He is now living in Batu Caves, and is married with five children.
He told Sin Chew Daily most Rohingya settlements in the country were found in Klang Valley, mainly in Ampang, Klang, Cheras and Gombak areas, while the rest were scattered across Johor and Penang.
He said most Rohingyas were employed in restaurants, fashion boutiques and supermarkets while others work for the local authorities as street cleaners.
