Rohingya refugee children in Johor treated to a fun-filled day in conjunction with World Refugee Day
An UNHCR Malaysia report states that there are over 170,000 refugees and asylum-seekers in Malaysia including some 14,000 in the state of Johor.
Refugees are persons fleeing conflict or persecution. They are defined and protected under international law, and must not be expelled or returned to situation where their life and freedom are at risk.
In conjunction with World Refugee Day, Cahaya Surya Bakti (CSB), a registered Malaysia Society founded in 2013 with the vision of providing community-based support and assistance to the expanding refugee population in Johor brought joy and well wishes to over 165 refugee children in Johor who also happen to be students at their education centre.
The majority of children are Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. However, the doors of CSB are open to all refugee children regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.
CSB has three education centres in Johor that are located in Kempas, Kluang, and Pekan Nenas. The aim of these centres is to provide basic education to these children such as English, Mathematics and Science, which are taught by dedicated teachers and volunteers.
In Malaysia, refugees have no legal status, as there are no laws that define what their rights are. Because of this, refugee families in Malaysia live in fear of being arrested for immigration offences.
There are also no refugee camps in Malaysia. Refugees live in towns and cities throughout the country, in low-cost housing; invisible and highly vulnerable.
