It is not just the police or immigration authorities who are often sceptical about the authenticity of documents carried by Rohingya Burmese refugees in Malaysia - even employers and landlords are taking a second look at these to avoid getting into trouble themselves.

Under tougher implementation of the Immigration Act 2002, employers face up to a year's jail and a maximum fine of RM50,000 for each illegal worker in their employ. Those hiring more than five illegal workers are also liable to be whipped.

As of today, a number of employers and landlords are requiring Rohingya to produce their passports or identification cards, failing which they are likely to lose their jobs or be evicted from rented premises.

However, this poses particular difficulty to the Rohingya who are considered to be stateless because they have not received recognition from the government of Burma, their home country.

The Rohingya, who have often been caught up in operations to detain and deport undocumented persons, can only rely on two assurances to remain in Malaysia - the temporary protection letter issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and a government policy that they can now live and work in Malaysia without fearing harassment.

The home ministry, however, has yet to follow up on an announcement last December that the community will be issued identification documents.

Waiting for ICs

The absence of such documents is making life particularly difficult for some 200 Rohingya living in Klang, Selangor, who work at the wholesale market for daily wages of between RM12 and RM30 to carry purchases for customers.

Zafar Ahmead Mohd Abdul Ghani, who heads the Kuala Lumpur-based Rohingya human rights watch, said yesterday that members of the community have insisted on the documents being produced today.

"The taukes (bosses) told them 'if you don't show me your passports by tomorrow, don't come to work'. Even house owners said they cannot rent out rooms or houses to them," he said.

About 50 of the affected Rohingya met yesterday in Klang to discuss their problems. Many of them have lived in Malaysia for more than a decade.

Mohd Zuhar Islam said he holds a temporary UNHCR protection letter, but that he is at his wits' end trying to look after his wife and child.

"What is going to happen? The government said it would issue ICs, but we haven't gotten any. When will we get this?" Zuhar (left) asked.

"Many of my friends are in a similar situation. I earn about RM20 to RM30 a day, which is enough for me, my wife and child. If I don't have a job, how am I to feed them?"

The refugees were especially worried that the planned crackdown on an estimated 1.3 million undocumented migrants would target them as well. This was initially due to begin today, but has been deferred for a week.

Illegal immigrants can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to RM10,000 and given six strokes with a cane upon conviction.

Survival in mind

Another refugee, Daulat Khan (photo), took out his anxiety on UNHCR as well as the two organisations for the Rohingya community in Malaysia - that led by Zafar and another known as the Rohingya Information Centre.

"Why didn't you come before? Why haven't you told us anything?" he asked Zafar during the meeting.

"My friends are all asking where they (representatives of these groups) have been. It's been some time since any of them came here."

Daulat pointed out that the Rohingya are not trying to set up any political party.

"We are just looking to live, to be able to survive. We are now fearful of even going out because though we have letters (from the UNHCR), we have no Ics," he said.

"Enduring difficulty is all right, as long as we are able to live (without fear of arrest). Please, help us so that we can work, so that we can stay."

There are an estimated 10,000 Rohingyan refugees in Malaysia. They have fled alleged religious persecution and other human rights violations in Burma, which is ruled by a military junta.