MALAYSIA: CITIZENS’ AWARENESS AND PERSPECTIVES ON EXISTING REFUGEES IN THE COUNTRY

Abstract

This preliminary study examined 70 Malaysians’ awareness and perspectives on the refugee situation in the country. It was found that despite many news and social media reports highlighting the plight of refugees in Malaysia, there are still 32.9% (N=23) who are not aware that there is a community of foreign nationals who are marginalized and are called ‘refugees’ in our country. Moreover, 68.6% (N=48) of these respondents have not heard of the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and its roles. This paper also found that 62.9% (N=44) of the Malaysians surveyed agreed that refugees should be helped, be entitled to equal human rights and should not have to face abuses or exploitation, especially in the hands of unscrupulous local employers. However, they are divided on whether the Malaysian government and its people should prioritize refugees over local needs and issues. Interestingly, 54.3% (N=38) of these respondents also expressed a desire for the refugees to be relocated to a third, and more advanced country. This shows that a majority of them are holding onto an old, but existing narrative in contrast to what local scholars (see Kartini & Nur Atiqah, 2023) are now suggesting – a super-diverse Malaysia in terms of ethnicity and cultural practices – by integrating the refugees into our society. The scholars’ position accords with the Acculturation and/or Integration Theory. Nonetheless, three respondents had highlighted that these refugees could possibly bring many positive impacts on our economy if they work here legally while awaiting relocation to a third country. So, only these three respondents’ views are in line with the latest narrative on refugees, i.e., seeing them as valuable human capital or resources. Finally, this paper concludes by outlining some current frameworks on how to view refugees since their numbers have swelled in Malaysia and globally.