Refugees have actually been working without government approval in Malaysia but are typically exploited with low wages, said Sujauddin Karimuddin.

The former refugee turned activist said some who have resettled, however, turned their hardships into good-paying jobs, and their new home countries are reaping the economic dividends.

Originating from the Rakhine state in Myanmar, the 41-year-old who spent five years in Malaysia as a refugee before resettling in Australia in 2005 explained many fellow Rohingyas who resettled there were...