They fled persecution in Myanmar. In Muslim-majority Malaysia, Rohingya still struggle to belong

Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar's Rakhine State, which also has Buddhist and Hindu populations

Around 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar in 2017 after a military crackdown and crossed into Bangladesh, per UNHCR

As of February 2026, about 126,000 Rohingya were registered with UNHCR in Malaysia

Malaysia does not legally recognize refugees, leaving them vulnerable to detention

2009: Mohammed Rafique fled Myanmar with his wife and five children, who stayed behind in Bangladesh · 2010: Nurul Hakim became the first of his 10 siblings to flee Myanmar, traveling through Thailand to Kuala Lumpur · 2013: Zahidah Begum fled Myanmar after her father, an imam, was injured fleeing a raid and later died from infection in Bangladesh · 2017: Soldiers opened fire on Nur Sadek's community, prompting him to flee Myanmar · 2017: Around 700,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar into Bangladesh during a military crackdown, per UNHCR · February 2026: About 126,000 Rohingya were registered with UNHCR in Malaysia

700,000 Rohingya who fled Myanmar in 2017 · 126,000 Rohingya registered with UNHCR in Malaysia · 2017 year of military crackdown · 30 ringgit ($7.50) daily earnings · 10 siblings