A Syrian refugee who has been stuck in Kuala Lumpur's international airport for more than 60 days says his problem is shared by many other Syrians.
Hassan Al-Kontar, 36, is stuck in transit with no country willing to accept him, and he told TVNZ 1's Breakfast programme this morning that all Syrians face discrimination.
"No one wants us - they are judging us only because we are holding a piece of paper that says we are Syrian people," he said.
"Not because of our crimes or out mistakes - just because of our nationality."
He has been at the airport since March 2. He left Syria in 2006 to avoid being drafted into the army, and to flee the unstable country.
He lived in the United Arab Emirates for nearly 10 years before losing his work visa, and after working illegally for a short time he was deported to a holding centre in Malaysia in 2007.
Malaysia is one of the only countries in the world to now offer Syrians a visa on arrival.
Mr Al-Kontar is currently blacklisted by the Malaysian government and confined to the transit zone of the airport.
He has tried to leave Malaysia twice - once to Cambodia and once to Ecuador, but neither would take him.
Over time, Al-Kontar's plight has become known to airport staff, who have helped him with food and discounts on airport items.
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