JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that his government is taking firm action against unauthorized Rohingya refugees in his country.
"I have instructed the PDRM (Malaysian police), the Malaysian Immigration Department, and all related agencies to take firm action in accordance with the provisions of the law to control the situation and ensure that public order is maintained," he said as reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 27.
Anwar stated that he had noticed a group of Rohingya refugees gathering in front of the UNHCR office (the UN agency for refugees) in Kuala Lumpur.
He emphasized that Malaysia is a sovereign country. Therefore, every individual in the country must comply with the applicable laws.
"Any individual who is known to not have valid travel documents or permits will be subject to action in accordance with the law, including being placed in an Immigration Depot while the next process is carried out," explained Anwar.
Based on UNHCR data, as of the end of February 2026, there were approximately 215,600 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Malaysia.
A total of 193,824 people are from Myanmar, consisting of around 126,144 Rohingya, 15,774 Chin (ethnic groups in the western mountains of Myanmar), and 33,002 other ethnic groups from conflict-affected areas or who have fled persecution in Myanmar.
The rest are about 21,776 refugees and asylum seekers from more than 50 countries who fled war and persecution, including about 5,760 Pakistanis, 3,193 Yemenis, 2,945 Somalis, 2,931 Afghans, 2,471 Syrians, 1,043 Sri Lankans, 514 Palestinians, 420 Iraqis, and others.
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