A refugee is a refugee for no other reason other than to flee the hardship, misery and even imminent death in his or her home country.

While many have found a better second home, there are others who continue to suffer in a place they thought they could find solace and a better future.

The same could be said of refugees who happened to find themselves in Malaysia. Many have found some peace and help from generous and hospitable Malaysians. But there are others who were not so lucky.

On the occasion of World Refugee Day (June 20), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held a celebration for refugees in Kuala Lumpur. It was there that malaysiakini caught up with Khuang Par, a Burmese Chin who spoke about her life as a refugee in Malaysia.

Here is her story.

The first reaction from Khuang Par ( right ) was, not surprisingly, a negative one. She said the dangers she faces here is no better than the crises and violence in her home country.

Khuang left Burma because her life was in danger with the military junta.

"The military wanted to arrest me. I was a witness of the killing of a civilian by the soldiers."

She entered Malaysia on April 20 last year by sea, by car, on foot.

"I crossed the border into Thailand by sea in a small boat. We finally reached Thailand and we were hidden in a very small room - 40 people together in that room for five days.

"I crossed to Malaysia in a car. At one point, the car stopped and we were all told to get out. I ran into the jungle and left all my bags, everything.

"I spent more than 20 days travelling, hiding, waiting. It was a long and terrifying journey. I remember feeling so scared all the time and I was weak from lack of food and lack of sleep.

"Finally I reached KL and felt glad I was safe. All I wanted was a chance to build a new life. And I believe these hopes would come true for me now," she said.

Life was hard

However, refugees in Malaysia are not given legal protection as Malaysia is not a signatory to the United Nations Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees.

Khuang also related the problems she has been facing with the local police.

"When the police check us, they will ask for our ID. If we are unable to show them, they will ask for money. I have been stopped by the police five times. And I have given them money."

Khuang holds a UNHCR card, the only documentation she has to prove she is not an illegal immigrant and should not face deportation. But the police still give refugees a hard time.

"Once, I showed the policeman my UNHCR card and he took me to the police station for an hour and we talked. I then pleaded with him, saying that, "if you won't let us stay in your country, where will we go?

"It is not our choice, we are refugees. Please let me stay," I begged.

Khuang claimed that she had paid the cops four times amounting to RM50, RM60 and RM100.

"They checked my bag for money and they took it all. I have been forced to give to them," she explained.

Not employed

Employment is also another problem for refugees as they are not allowed to work in the country.

"I volunteer for UNHCR for three days as an interpreter. I was paid RM600. But after this, I have no work. I hold on to all the money I have.

"I stay in a flat with 20 people, seven of them are men," Khuang said adding that living conditions are bad with 'one person's head on another person's feet'.

Asked if she would return to Burma in the future, she enthused a spirited 'Yes'.

"Yes. It's my dream and desire to return home one day. My family is in Burma. I left my beloved and my friends there and came to Malaysia."

It was also a costly affair for Khuang to leave the country. She has to pay an agency in order to escape the country.

"It cost me US$600 to come to Malaysia through the agency."

Khuang is one of the 46,000 refugees in Malaysia registered with UNHCR living in a state of constant uncertainty.

Yesterday, she was brave enough to come forward to tell her story to the media. But there are many others who continue to suffer in silence.