As Australia steps up pressure on its Asian neighbours to reduce people smuggling in the region, the Malaysian government is under pressure to demonstrate its commitment to stem the human tide.
An estimated 100,000 refugees are thought to reside in Malaysia. The vast majority of refugees are Burmese but there are also significant numbers of Sri Lankans and Afghans.
While many of the refugees, especially those who are Muslim, would like to stay in Malaysia, increasingly they are being forced out.
Malaysia does not recognise refugees, even if the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has assessed them and given them supporting documentation.
Malaysian authorities treat them as illegal immigrants or worse hand them over to trafficking rings.
An Afghani father of four, named 'John' told the ABC's Karen Percy, if he had money he would not spend one more minute in Malaysia.
With his son translating the 41 year old says he would put his family on a boat to Australia, even with the risk of perishing at sea.
He's heard other Afghani families have been allowed to settle in Australia.
But such a journey would cost him about 5,000 dollars, money he just doesn't have.
'John' flew into Kuala Lumpur with his wife and sons two years ago. He is originally from Afghanistan and his children were born in Iran.
The family has converted to Christianity and fears religious persecution if they were forced to return to Afghanistan.
'John' says they are also poorly treated in Muslim dominated Malaysia.
Tough life
Temme Lee, spokeswoman for Malaysian refugee advocacy group Suarem, says life in Malaysia is tough for refugees.
"For those who have lived here for many, from five to ten years, they start to get very desperate because they get trapped in the cycle of arrest, detention and often deportation."
"And they're subjected to a lot of abuse by local authorities and locals themselves here in Malaysia"
The family's case is currently with the UNHCR.
John's 15 year old son, 'Martin' says it's a grim life where refugees are even subjected to death threats.
"My life is like the darkness. My life in Malaysia doesn't have any life in it,"
"My wish is to be a doctor, but now I cannot...I like to study, I like to have a good life...but in Malaysia we cannot."
'Martin' used to have a job in a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur but his boss told him he had to stand during the whole 12 hours of his shift. He left rather than complain and risk being reported to the authorities.
Poor treatment
Cases like this are prevalent in Malaysia. Employers seem to have few qualms about taking advantage of the poor citizens of neighbouring countries.
Rohingyas from Burma are paid a pittance to work on the fishing boats while domestic workers from the Philippines and Indonesia are routinely abused both physically and mentally.
Refugees from Malaysia choose to go Australia in part because of proximity but more importantly, when travelling by boat there is no need for paperwork, unlike arriving by air.
They're also drawn to Australia because of the immigrant communities in the country.
'Martin' says asylum seekers have heard Australia supports refugees.
"Australia is a country that supports refugee people. And they like refugee people."
If his family is ever able to afford the trip, there are plenty of options.
According to refugee advocacy groups, smugglers and traffickers operate freely in Malaysia, assisted by corrupt immigration officials and police.
Earlier this year, the United States put Malaysia back on a blacklist of nations for its failure to address the problems of human trafficking and smuggling.
There are also some who believe the government is turning a blind eye to possible terrorists in the country
The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd has been trying to press the point with his regional colleagues that asylum seekers are an Asia wide problem.
But until Malaysia and other nations are prepared to do more the boats will keep coming.
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