This is Indonesia, Not Malaysia

MUHAMMAD Syarif's father got a call from his brother who has been living in Malaysia, offering Syarif an opportunity to continue his studies in Malaysia. Syarif, a teacher of English and Qur'an reading, at the resettlement camp in Arakan (now Rakhine) state in Myanmar, agreed to join his uncle. "I won't improve here (in Rakhine)," said 16-year-old Syarif.

But the refugees are not allowed to go anywhere. "We could be punished if we go out of the camp," Syarif told Tempo when he was interviewed at Kuala Cangkoy in North Aceh, a few days after he landed ashore. The Rohingyas, who are not recognized as Myanmar citizens, are often attacked by the military and extremist Buddhists.

May 19, 2015