Rohingya refugees in Malaysia support local economy but face legal and social challenges

Rohingya refugees in Malaysia support local economy but face legal and social challenges

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
For years hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees have been fleeing persecution in Myanmar for other Southeast Asian countries in search of safety.

But sometimes they find they are unwelcome.

Earlier this month, authorities in Malaysia turned away two boats carrying hundreds of refugees off the coast of Langkawi.

Al Jazeera’s Jessica Washington reports from Langkawi Island in Malaysia's north.