MALAYSIA
“The flowers blossom beautifully. I want a life like a flower – happy and beautiful. I don’t know if I will have the chance to have that because I don’t have documentation.” (Kavita, 22) © UNHCR
West Malaysia hosts approximately 11,500 ‘Stateless Malaysians.’ These are members of the ethnic Tamil community who came from India in the 19th and early 20th centuries to work on rubber plantations and the public service while Malaysia was still under British colonial rule.
Many lack the necessary identity documentation to prove that they are Malaysian citizens. Since 2014, a local NGO has worked in partnership with UNHCR to identify, register and assist members of this community acquire or confirm their Malaysian citizenship.
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- Kavita is 22 years old. She dreams of being an art teacher but has been turned down for employment many times because she is stateless. She says: “Being stateless makes me sad. That’s why I draw. To calm myself down and console myself. That’s when the tension dissipates.” © UNHCR/ R. Arnold
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- I want to work in KFC, But because I don’t have any proof of nationality, I don’t even dare to ask for a job there. I don’t like chicken, but I like to work with chicken! (Edwin, 16). © UNHCR