Malaysia detains over 100 Rohingya asylum seekers outside UNHCR office

Published Jul 28, 05:03 AM UTC

Malaysian authorities detained more than 100 Rohingya Muslim asylum seekers outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur after they were evicted from a settlement in Penang. The group, possessing valid UNHCR documents, sought advice on resettlement. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered firm action against the refugees to maintain public order. The incident occurs amid rising public hostility and online hate speech against Rohingya, including a petition with over half a million signatures calling for their removal. Malaysia does not recognize Rohingya as refugees and has tightened immigration enforcement, recently ordering UNHCR to stop new registrations while launching its own stricter asylum system. The eviction in Penang was reportedly due to economic and territorial competition after an increase in the Rohingya population. At least nine Rohingya schools have been forced to close nationwide due to harassment.