Supply Chain and Human Trafficking of Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper analyses the supply chain and human trafficking in Malaysia by focusing on the Rohingya refugees. In terms of research methodology, a qualitative approach has been chosen and about 20 respondents have been identified based on a purposive sampling technique. There are two types of respondents; they are Rohingya refugees who have been victimised by traffickers and the local enforcement personnel such as the immigration officers. All information from the respondents has been collected using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The locations for this study have been held in Kedah, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Notably, there are two main factors where people become refugees, government persecution and ethnic discrimination. Furthermore, Dalal as human traffickers have taken this opportunity to do business by smuggling Rohingya refugees into Malaysia using an illegal route. The Dalals have also played a vital role in this supply chain of human trafficking and has exploited the Rohingya refugees for their own profit. Therefore, the Malaysian government need to put an effort to fight human trafficking activities in order to stop this crime and to preserve the sovereignty of the country.