Why refugees like the Rohingya and other asylum seekers find themselves in a legal limbo in Malaysia (opens original article in a new tab)

Malaysia's Rohingya and other asylum seekers face legal challenges due to the country's non-participation in the Refugee Convention, leaving them in a vulnerable position under immigration laws with limited resettlement options.

• Malaysia hosts over 215,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mostly from Myanmar including 193,824 Rohingya
• Rohingya face legal limbo as Malaysia isn't party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, leaving them vulnerable under the Immigration Act
• UNHCR cards provide limited access to services but no legal residency or work rights, with resettlement options severely limited due to host country constraints