Study Maps Spatial Exclusion for Second-Generation Rohingya in Malaysia

A new qualitative study published in Frontiers in Sociology examines the lived experiences of second-generation Rohingya refugees in urban Kuala Lumpur and its neighboring districts. The research, conducted by Nur Nadia Lukmanulhakim of the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, investigates how these individuals navigate a state of protracted displacement where their legal status remains in limbo despite prolonged residency in Malaysia. The study argues that the concept of home is a socially reproduced space that exists across micro, meso, and macro settings, fundamentally shaping how these refugees integrate into the broader Malaysian community.

The research design employed a mixed-methods qualitative approach, utilizing life story interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. The sample consisted of 35 second-generation Rohingya refugees who were either born in Malaysia or have lived in the country since their youth. Existing research on Rohingya refugees in protracted displacement in Malaysia has focused on integration, citizenship, mobility, and their involvement in the Malaysian economy.

Central to the study’s framework is the analysis of spatial practices, mobility, and social interactions embedded in specific spaces and places. These practices determine the degree of inclusion or exclusion refugees face in various domains of social integration. The study highlights that the experience of belonging is not uniform but is selectively granted or denied across different social and physical environments.

The findings reveal that second-generation Rohingya refugees encounter distinct barriers and opportunities in housing, work, education, healthcare, social bonds, and citizenship. This selective inclusion means that even individuals who have spent their entire lives in Malaysia may not develop a stable sense of belonging.

The study emphasizes that the precarity of these refugees is maintained by the absence of a coherent and cohesive policy framework in Malaysia.

By examining the intersection of spatial practices and social integration, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by second-generation Rohingya refugees.

Ultimately, the research contributes to the broader academic discourse on migration and displacement by focusing on the specific experiences of second-generation refugees.

Subject of Research: Spatial practices and social integration of second-generation Rohingya refugees in Malaysia

Article Title: Second-generation Rohingya refugees in Malaysia: neither here nor there

Article References: Lukmanulhakim, N. N. (2026). Second-generation Rohingya refugees in Malaysia: neither here nor there. Frontiers in Sociology, 11, Article 1962305. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2026.1962305

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2026.1962305

Keywords: Rohingya refugees, Malaysia, Second-generation, Spatial practices, Integration, Citizenship, Mobility, Belonging, Protracted displacement, Qualitative research, Rohingya, refugees