Refugees on the run
Refugees from war-torn countries risk their lives on a new smugglers’ route through Asia.
Watch part two
Each year, thousands of people flee war-torn countries like Sri Lanka and Afghanistan hoping to make it to Australia for a better life.
Many end up in Malaysia, seeking refugee status from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
There are 49,000 refugees registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia, the majority from Myanmar.
Many asylum seekers in Malaysia end up in the Lenggeng immigration depot outside Kuala Lumpur.
Others continue on their treacherous journey, paying exorbitant fees to human smugglers, risking their lives on a new smugglers’ route through Asia.
But Australia is trying to stem the tide of illegal migrants, and is urging Malaysia and Indonesia to do the same.
On this edition of 101 East we look at what happens to the asylum seekers left in limbo in Malaysia.
This episode of 101 East airs from Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the following times GMT: Thursday: 1230; Friday: 0300; Saturday: 0530, 1730; Sunday: 0330, 1130; Monday: 1630; Tuesday: 1430; Wednesday: 0830, 1930; Thursday: 0630.