(ARRC is a leading Rohingya Refugee Committee, dedicated to advocate the causes of refugees and asylum seekers)

No. 2A, Jalan 3/2, Kg Tasik Tambahan, 68000 Ampnag, Selangor. Tel: +60 163094599, Email: arrcinfo@yahoo.com

Ref: 10-2/001
Date: February 4, 2010
Press Release:

RIGHTFUL DECISION IN RIGHT TIME

“IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO REFUGEES”
We at the Arakan Rohingya Refugee Committee (ARRC), Malaysia warmly salute the
decision of the Malaysian Government for issuing identification card for UN Conventional
Refugees.

Indeed, the timely decision brought a fair process for all refugees from different countries
regardless of race, religion, color and cultural orientation but feel confusion about the future of
Rohingya refugees.

However, we expect for a better management at refugees’ concerned quarter in bringing

fairness in services and process and that should not bring confusion by any mean. These tasks
will be acceptable for every quarter.

Base on this, we hope that the Government of Malaysia will monitor the matter of Rohingya
refugees in this country; whether they are fairly treated or/and equally accessed in every
process which is much more important than classification.

In many occasions, they Rohingya refugees are allegedly separated with many groups and thus
their representation is not welcome but the reason behind is that they are not given equal
opportunities anywhere. Therefore, they are trying their level best to find ways from various
platforms, showing strong solidarity on common issues likely in finding permanent solution
and advocating their causes without any condition.

Besides, the Rohingya refugees in Malaysia expect advocacy facilities from the Government
of Malaysia and that may work in proper way to ensure their legal status and to end their
plight.

It may be mentioned here that there were 1300 registered Rohingya refugees in 2008, which
was considered as largest group in Malaysia. But by the end of October 2009, about 67,800
refugees and asylum-seekers were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. Of them, 62,000 are refugees from Burma, comprising
28,100 Chin, 16,100 Rohingya, 3,700 Burmese Muslims, 2,900 Kachin and other ethnic
minorities.

We hope that the Government will take more effective measures to speed up a process to end
refugee phenomena through their resettlement to third countries and assisting the concerned
refugee agency to register all undocumented asylum seekers in accordance with article 2 of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Thank you,

Yours sincerely,

MOHAMMAD SADEK
Program Coordinator
ARRC, Malaysia
Tel: +6016-3094599