Irfan Shofiq has been living as a refugee in Malaysia for over a decade, but the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness still dominates him.
Unable to find work and watching his children grow up without access to education, he feels trapped in a vicious circle of despair.
Irfan is just one of an estimated 210,000 Rohingya refugees who have sought safety in Malaysia after fleeing persecution and violence in Myanmar. His journey, like that of so many others, began with horrific experiences – homeless, sleeping in the jungle and living in constant fear.
In 2017, the mass exodus of Rohingya from Myanmar began. They fled what the United Nations called a military campaign against the predominantly Muslim minority.
Irfan recalled losing his father to the brutality of the Myanmar military in 2021.
“He was kidnapped from our home, beaten in custody and tortured to death. This tragedy is just one of countless atrocities suffered by the Rohingya. Today, thousands of Rohingya are internally displaced, and many more have been kidnapped, forcibly recruited or killed by the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s military.
“Drone attacks on Rohingya civilians in Rakhine State are causing innocent lives to be lost. These ongoing atrocities are leaving our people without access to basic healthcare and pregnant women dying daily due to lack of medical care. The situation is beyond urgent.”
As Irfan and other refugees navigate their uncertain futures in Malaysia, their stories are a powerful reminder of the high human cost of conflict and the resilience of those who endure it.
Irfan works as a volunteer lay advisor for Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
He said one of the most pressing needs of the Rohingya community in Malaysia is access to healthcare.
“Many, including survivors of human trafficking and sexual and gender-based violence, require psychiatric treatment.
“I facilitate their access to mental health services and help pregnant undocumented asylum seekers with health care.
“Despite the hostile treatment in government hospitals and the uncertainty caused by my refugee status, I continue to stand by my community.
“Doctors Without Borders also refers patients in need of emergency medical assistance, safety and protection to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).”
Irfan is one of 109,650 Rohingya refugees registered with the UNHCR, who offer them only limited protection and no right to work. They include multigenerational families who arrived in large numbers in the 1980s and 1990s and settled mainly in Penang and Kuala Lumpur.
As a volunteer, Irfan receives support from international organizations such as MSF, which provide medical care to asylum seekers and undocumented refugees. However, support to the community is limited, especially in arranging appointments and medical assistance at government hospitals.
Irfan hopes that his family can be resettled in a third country where they can receive a proper education and enjoy the freedom they deserve.
He calls on the Malaysians and
The international community must recognize the dire situation of the Rohingya.
“I want to see international intervention to end the violence in Rakhine State. The international community must stand up for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia and ensure that they receive protection and assistance. Now is the time to act.”
He advises young Rohingya to continue their education, as education is a powerful tool for change, and to engage in volunteer work to better understand people’s needs.
