Malaysia Detains 113 Rohingya Refugees Outside UNHCR Office Amid Rising Tensions

Malaysian authorities have detained 113 refugees, including 110 Rohingya asylum seekers, after they gathered outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Kuala Lumpur seeking assistance following their eviction from a settlement in Penang.

Police said the refugees, who were transported from the UNHCR office on Sunday evening, are being temporarily held at Kuala Lumpur police headquarters. Authorities confirmed that all of the Rohingya detainees possess valid UNHCR registration documents.

The group said they traveled to Kuala Lumpur after being forced to leave their homes in Kuala Muda, Penang, where local residents reportedly demanded their relocation. They had hoped to receive guidance from the UN refugee agency on resettlement options.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim directed police and immigration authorities to take action to maintain public order, stating that no group has the right to occupy public spaces without authorization.

The incident comes as anti-Rohingya sentiment continues to grow in Malaysia. In recent months, online campaigns and public criticism targeting the refugee community have intensified, prompting increased government scrutiny, raids on Rohingya-linked schools and businesses, and the temporary closure of several learning centers.

Malaysia recently suspended new refugee registrations through UNHCR as it prepares to introduce its own asylum management system, which is expected to apply stricter eligibility requirements for refugee recognition.

The Rohingya, a Muslim minority from Myanmar, have fled persecution for years, particularly after the Myanmar military's 2017 crackdown that forced hundreds of thousands to seek refuge in neighboring countries. Although more than 126,000 Rohingya are registered with UNHCR in Malaysia, the country is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and does not legally recognize refugees, leaving many vulnerable to detention and deportation.

Human rights organizations have criticized the detention, urging Malaysian authorities to prioritize the protection of vulnerable refugees instead of taking enforcement measures against people seeking humanitarian assistance.

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