More Can Be Done For Rohingyas Before They Move On

By Mohd Faizal Hassan The second part delves on the help, solution, planning being worked out by the related parties. KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- "Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity." (Surah al-Baqarah, verse 286) That was the simple answer given by a preacher, Rafik, leader of the Rohingya community in Selayang, Selangor, when asked how much longer the Rohingyas will be tested before they receive the attention of the local and international community. For Rafik, the Rohingyas from Myanmar have it much better now unlike when they arrived here about 30 years ago following their persecution in Rakhine. Rafik believes that various protests including recent ones to show solidarity for the Rohingyas, which was joined by Prime Minister Najib Razak and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang now provides a beacon of hope to the small community. The immediate action that the community wanted to see is that the government and authorities issue identity documents for the ethnic group that would allow them to work and support their families, he said. MyWELFARE Nurainie Haziqah Shafi'i, the founder of MyWelfare which is a non-governmental organisation that cares for the Rohingya refugees in Selayang, said though they did not offer luxuries at least they have been provided with a roof over their head and basic necessities. Established three years ago, hundreds of refugees especially women and children have benefited from MyWelfare when it comes to education and food aid. Contributions and collections from the public have allowed them to provide for the community, though insufficient at times. "This is what we can do. Sometimes there are activities with the community where they can mingle, cook, read, play, watch movies and more. As human, they have the right to their rights and protection even without a card or identification," said Nurainie Haziqah. UNHCR CARD Special Envoy of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Myanmar Dr Syed Hamid Syed Albar said the Malaysian government has nothing to fear and should find a solution to eradicate the UNHCR card syndicate menace. Syed Hamid, who is also the former Foreign Minister, pointed out once the card is issued to eligible individuals the authorities could easily monitor their movements, needs and actions to avoid negative elements like crime. "If they still have no identity, it could pose a threat as they could be abused by others. Remember, they are treated as outcast back in their own country. The solution is to send them back to Myanmar, but unfortunately they are not recognised as its citizens. "So they are stateless in their country of origin and here too. According to international laws we cannot force them out. They will get married and give birth here. If things are not organised, there will contribute to crime, social problems and left behind due to the lack of education. We are already seeing this happening now," he said. Syed Hamid, who is also the president of HUMANiTi Malaysia, a non-governmental organisation that focuses on humanitarian aid and education, said when the UNHCR cards were issued the employment status of refugees is automatically valid and the government need not take in foreign workers. He explained that besides employment, the card would also indirectly help refugee children to obtain education in local religious and non-religious schools hence creating brighter prospects for them to migrate to third countries. "The refugees and the community will soon be recognised as they will have skills to bring to a third country. When there is demand, there will definitely be offers. Such a scenario is not impossible," he added. FAKE UNHCR CARD SYNDICATES FOILED? Meanwhile, sources revealed to Bernama that individuals involved in fake UNHCR card syndicates were former UNHCR staff who claimed that they could help expedite application. The syndicates made quick bucks on the desperation of the refugees. After the syndicate was uncovered, effective July 20 this year, the Cabinet decided not to allow UNHCR to issue the cards for walk-in applications. As the cards will be issued following stringent screening, the process of replacing old UNHCR cards will take time and the whole exercise is to weed out fake UNHCR cards. The syndicate issuing fake UNHCR cards first came to light several years ago after Malaysian authorities detained foreigners holding fake UNHCR cards and that they had entered Malaysia illegally. Malaysia and UNHCR have collaborated for 41 years since the UNHCR office was set up in the country in 1975 following a flood of application from Vietnamese asylum seekers. UNHCR's main role in Malaysia is to process refugees status applications filed by asylum seekers as well as coordinate resettlement for refugees in third countries. Due to problems faced by UNHCR in expediting resettlement for refugees in third countries, refugees in the country are provided with UNHCR cards. PIONEER PROJECT TO ASSIST ROHINGYAS In July, the government announced a pioneer project to allow 300 Rohingya refugees holding UNHCR cards to work in Malaysia. Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said those who were eligible and met the requirements set by the government would be allowed to work in the farming and manufacturing sectors. Though Malaysia is not a member of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951 and Protocol 1967, the country's proactive actions in handling immigrants and refugees on humanitarian grounds clearly proves that Malaysia has exceeded its obligations at the international level. Recently, Nur Jazlan said the government and UNHCR were in the process of setting appropriate policies before they could determine the 300 individuals eligible to take part in the pioneer project. "We cannot start without a plan and guideline for the project. We need to look at the job scope be it the service sector, cleaning and others, according to the industry's needs," he added. -- BERNAMA