Ethnic, religious minorities pin hopes on Aung San Suu Kyi

World Today

Myanmar’s new civilian government is raising hopes in Malaysia.

That’s where thousands are seeking refuge from ethnic and religious conflict in Myanmar.

As CCTV’s Rian Maelzer reports, many see a brighter future with Aung San Suu Kyi in charge.

Life for tens of thousands of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia could be an improvement on the discrimination, civil war and ethnic violence they fled.

But Malaysia doesn’t recognize refugees, leaving them unable to work legally or put their kids to formal education and mired in poverty.

Many of these Karen, Chin and Rohingya refugees cling to the slim hope of one day being re-settled to a third country. Some refugee’s hope that Aung San Suu Kyi’s victory means they may one day be able to return home.