From refugee to advocate: A Rohingya woman’s journey 

Hafsar Tameesuddin’s story of overcoming adversity, from fleeing Myanmar to building a new life in New Zealand

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) — Hafsar Tameesuddin’s journey from a small village in Myanmar to New Zealand is a testament to her resilience and determination. 

Born into a Rohingya family, she faced systemic discrimination and violence, forcing her to flee and seek refuge in Malaysia before eventually resettling in New Zealand.

Her life began in a small village between Myanmar’s Rakhine and Chin states. Her family had deep roots there, spanning generations. But like her father and grandfather, she held no official documents identifying her as a citizen – a consequence of Myanmar’s 1982 Citizenship Law. 

The law rendered the Rohingya stateless, labelling them as foreigners and revoking previously issued identification papers. 

“I remember we had to apply for a travel pass just to leave our village,” she said in an interview with Twentytwo13. “It was an offence to travel without it because we were not recognised as citizens.”

She recalled a chilling incident in which villagers were shot for crossing district lines to collect roofing leaves. “No one was ever safe from the atrocities,” she said. “Women and girls would disappear overnight. Some people I knew were murdered.” 

“If the authorities came and seized our goods, there was nothing we could do. They had the power to act as they pleased.”

Even as a child, Hafsar – the third of five siblings – dreamed of life beyond her village. In her mid-20s, she made the bold decision to flee. “I knew I had to leave if I wanted to survive and build a better life for myself and my family,” she said.

With her savings, a few clothes, and her English books, she escaped to Yangon. She spent months shifting between homes, sleeping in alleys, and dodging arrest while waiting for a chance to cross into Thailand.

She eventually made it to Mae Sot, but after two more years of hardship, she took another risk.

Trafficked to Malaysia

In 2010, with 2,500 Malaysian ringgit ($589) borrowed from a cousin abroad, Hafsar paid a trafficker to smuggle her into Malaysia.

“The journey was rough,” she said. “We travelled by train and small boat. In some parts, we had to walk through the jungle before finally reaching Kuala Lumpur.”

Life in Malaysia brought new challenges. With no legal status, she struggled to find work. “I even offered to work for half the salary of locals, but still, no one wanted to hire me.”

She eventually found a job cleaning a wet market and wholesale market. The pay was minimal. She set aside some for rent and food and sent the rest home. She shared a house with other Rohingyas, paying 250 Malaysian ringgit ($59) monthly for rent.

Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. Refugees and asylum seekers are considered undocumented migrants and face limits on employment, education, and access to healthcare. However, they are allowed to remain temporarily until resettlement elsewhere.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of May, 200,260 refugees and asylum seekers were registered in Malaysia. Of these, 179,670 were from Myanmar – mostly Rohingya.

Although life in Malaysia was difficult, Hafsar said it was still better than in Myanmar. “It was safer. At least here, I could survive.”

After nine years, things changed when a local NGO discovered her language skills. Besides Rohingya and Burmese, she spoke English and Malay. They offered her a job as a translator.

That opened new doors. She later worked with several NGOs and eventually joined the UNHCR, helping with translation and community outreach, especially for Rohingya women and children.

She received a small honourarium – more than what she earned as a cleaner, but still modest.

In 2016, her work drew hostility from within the community. Her support for Rohingya women who had survived sexual and gender-based violence put her life at risk.

“I was living in fear,” she said. “They were tracking me down. It wasn’t safe anymore.”

It took two years before a third country offered resettlement, and another year for the process to be completed.

In 2019, Hafsar moved to New Zealand. She enrolled at university, earned a degree in social work, and is now pursuing a master’s degree in public policy.

Her family has since joined her. She continues her advocacy work and now serves as co-secretary general of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network – a coalition of more than 270 civil society organisations and individuals across 28 countries championing refugee rights.