Malaysia minister suggests reviewing UN refugee agency presence

Hasan stated that the government is working with the UNHCR to ensure a joint screening process for refugees when documentation is issued. He was quoted as saying, "We want cooperation and strict screening. If they do not want to cooperate, in my opinion, it is time for us to reconsider the presence of UNHCR in the country so that we do not continue to be burdened." He also noted that the UNHCR office appears to be attracting more refugees to Malaysia, including Rohingya Muslims.

The UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur stated that it was collaborating with authorities to protect the detained Rohingya and verify their documentation, contributing to their transfer to alternative accommodation. According to Bernama, citing a top police official, the detained Rohingya all possess valid UNHCR documentation and were to be temporarily sheltered at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters pending further action by the refugee agency.

Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, has historically been a refuge for Rohingya fleeing persecution in Myanmar. However, the country is not a signatory to the UN refugee convention and officially regards asylum seekers as illegal migrants. As of the end of February, approximately 126,000 Rohingya Muslims were registered with the UNHCR in Malaysia.