I’ve always been outspoken in my support for the refugees, especially in time where refugees are met with a lot of hate. I don’t only see it in Australia and how refugees are kept in detention centres that are really horrible condition that children themselves commit suicide (ABC, BBC, Human Rights Watch). I see it in Malaysia as well where people who were once outspoken in their support for refugees have become ugly in their actions and words, and anyone who speaks up about it gets demonised (NST, Al Jazeera, Malay Mail, ABC). It is so bad that in my support and standing up for refugees to receive basic human rights (which should be a given and not something to earn), I’ve had people harass me and send me death threats on social media.

The refugee and migrant communities in Malaysia are amongst one of the most vulnerable groups of people who receive little to no support during this pandemic. Many from these communities have lost their jobs and now struggle to put food on the table for their families. While there is a problem with the treatment of refugees in Australia where I am currently residing, it is my responsibility and privilege the majority in Malaysia to do what I can to help my own country. 

Refuge For The Refugees is a non-profit organization that seeks to raise awareness regarding the plight of refugees in Malaysia as well as provide education for refugee children. They are working together with other organisations such as Tenaganita, Dapur Jalanan KL and Liga Rakyat Demokratik for this project, and their donors, volunteers and strategic partners include the Malaysian Red Crescent Society, IMPACT Malaysia and BMW Malaysia.