Malaysians should not exploit refugees, says Former Suhakam Commissioner

SHAH ALAM - Former Suhakam Commissioner Jerald Joseph calls for Malaysians to stop exploiting refugees as they are desperate for job opportunities and the chance to start anew in the country before going home.

Jerald shared his first-hand experience speaking to a Rohingya refugee who was exploited by a Malaysian who refused to pay him after completing a job.

"After two weeks of finishing a job, the Rohingya refugee, who was a painter, went to collect his pay from the employer and the latter said that he did not have the money.

“The Malaysian man also told the refugee to go ahead if he wanted to complain," he said, adding that the Malaysian man knew the refugee lacked human rights protection and did not have the confidence to do so.

Jerald said the refugees were yearning to return to their home country but it was up to agencies like Asean and United Nations to provide the solutions for them to return safely.

"Those who have been here for five or 20 years realised this was not their home and it was a difficult life. They clearly recognised it and they were not asking for citizenship.

“They are grateful and thanked Malaysia for providing hospitality but they want to go home when it is safe,” he said.

Jerald seeks Malaysians to do better and to open up opportunities for the refugees to improve their lives during Sinar Daily’s talkshow Wacana English Edition where they discussed on Malaysia's refugees dilemma following the recent Sungai Bakap temporary depot breakout that led to the loss of six lives including two children.