Rohingya Refugee Issue Heats Up in Malaysia, Deportation Petition Sparks Controversy
A Malaysian civil group's online petition calling for the deportation of Rohingya refugees has ignited controversy. According to UNHCR data, Malaysia hosts approximately 215,600 registered refugees and asylum seekers, over 190,000 of whom are from Myanmar, including more than 126,000 Rohingya. Malaysia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention, leaving refugees without legal work rights. The petition, fueled by concerns over public resource strain, has drawn criticism from anti-hate speech groups who label it discriminatory.
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- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 16:56
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(Central News Agency, Kuala Lumpur, 12th, Special Dispatch) The issue of Rohingya refugees in Malaysia is heating up. A civil group has launched an online petition calling for the deportation of Rohingya refugees, which has also sparked calls against hate speech and discrimination. According to statistics from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of the end of February, Malaysia had 215,600 registered refugees and asylum seekers, of whom over 190,000 are from Myanmar.
UNHCR official data shows that among the 193,824 refugees from Myanmar, there are 126,144 Rohingya, 15,774 Chin, and 33,002 individuals from other ethnic groups who fled Myanmar due to conflict or persecution.
The remaining approximately 21,776 refugees and asylum seekers come from over 50 countries, mostly displaced by war and persecution seeking refuge in Malaysia. Myanmar refugees constitute the largest refugee group in Malaysia.
A Central News Agency reporter visited the Selayang market, about 20 kilometers from downtown Kuala Lumpur, today. This is Malaysia's largest wholesale distribution center for fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, where many Rohingya refugees work as porters or in other odd jobs to make a living.
Malaysia has not signed the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Even holding refugee documents issued by the UNHCR, Rohingya refugees cannot legally work in Malaysia, making their living conditions even more difficult.
Many Rohingya refugees reach Malaysia via land or sea routes. The northern state of Kedah is one of the initial settlement points for some refugees, with some finding work guarding paddy fields or doing farm labor.
Some Rohingya refugees have lived in Malaysia for many years, and the second generation is growing up. Unable to access the public education system, some communities have established their own learning centers, teaching basic courses in English, mathematics, Malay, and arts.
As Rohingya refugees continue to enter Malaysia, related issues have drawn social attention. Some citizens are concerned about the increased burden on public resources, security, and social services. The civil group "I am a Malaysian Son" has initiated an online petition calling for the deportation of Rohingya refugees, urging the government to propose concrete measures.
According to the petition, the initiating group calls on the government to propose alternatives, including cooperating with international organizations to promote resettlement in third countries or strengthening humanitarian aid to the refugees' regions of origin. Without a long-term solution mechanism, Malaysia's public resources, infrastructure, and social service systems could face greater pressure; while realizing the humanitarian spirit, the group says, the government should also consider national welfare and stability.
In response to this backlash, groups such as the "ASEAN People's Forum" have criticized the petition as discriminatory and hateful, calling for an end to the stigmatization of Rohingya refugees. These groups demand that the Myanmar government recognize the citizenship rights of the Rohingya and stop violence and institutional discrimination, while also calling on Malaysia to ratify the Refugee Convention to guarantee the basic rights and personal safety of refugees.
However, Malaysia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention and does not legally recognize refugee status. As the number of refugees continues to increase, balancing the fulfillment of humanitarian responsibilities, responding to public concerns, and maintaining the burden on social resources remains a significant challenge for the Malaysian government. (Editor: Chen Chenggong) 1150612
UNHCR official data shows that among the 193,824 refugees from Myanmar, there are 126,144 Rohingya, 15,774 Chin, and 33,002 individuals from other ethnic groups who fled Myanmar due to conflict or persecution.
The remaining approximately 21,776 refugees and asylum seekers come from over 50 countries, mostly displaced by war and persecution seeking refuge in Malaysia. Myanmar refugees constitute the largest refugee group in Malaysia.
A Central News Agency reporter visited the Selayang market, about 20 kilometers from downtown Kuala Lumpur, today. This is Malaysia's largest wholesale distribution center for fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, where many Rohingya refugees work as porters or in other odd jobs to make a living.
Malaysia has not signed the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Even holding refugee documents issued by the UNHCR, Rohingya refugees cannot legally work in Malaysia, making their living conditions even more difficult.
Many Rohingya refugees reach Malaysia via land or sea routes. The northern state of Kedah is one of the initial settlement points for some refugees, with some finding work guarding paddy fields or doing farm labor.
Some Rohingya refugees have lived in Malaysia for many years, and the second generation is growing up. Unable to access the public education system, some communities have established their own learning centers, teaching basic courses in English, mathematics, Malay, and arts.
As Rohingya refugees continue to enter Malaysia, related issues have drawn social attention. Some citizens are concerned about the increased burden on public resources, security, and social services. The civil group "I am a Malaysian Son" has initiated an online petition calling for the deportation of Rohingya refugees, urging the government to propose concrete measures.
According to the petition, the initiating group calls on the government to propose alternatives, including cooperating with international organizations to promote resettlement in third countries or strengthening humanitarian aid to the refugees' regions of origin. Without a long-term solution mechanism, Malaysia's public resources, infrastructure, and social service systems could face greater pressure; while realizing the humanitarian spirit, the group says, the government should also consider national welfare and stability.
In response to this backlash, groups such as the "ASEAN People's Forum" have criticized the petition as discriminatory and hateful, calling for an end to the stigmatization of Rohingya refugees. These groups demand that the Myanmar government recognize the citizenship rights of the Rohingya and stop violence and institutional discrimination, while also calling on Malaysia to ratify the Refugee Convention to guarantee the basic rights and personal safety of refugees.
However, Malaysia is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention and does not legally recognize refugee status. As the number of refugees continues to increase, balancing the fulfillment of humanitarian responsibilities, responding to public concerns, and maintaining the burden on social resources remains a significant challenge for the Malaysian government. (Editor: Chen Chenggong) 1150612
FAQ
Where can this petition be found?
The article does not specify a URL, but it is presumed to be on an online petition platform run by the group 'I am a Malaysian Son'.
What is the official position of the Malaysian government?
The article does not state the Malaysian government's official position. The government appears to be struggling to balance humanitarian responsibilities with domestic public opinion.
Is the number of Rohingya refugees increasing?
The article does not directly state a trend of increase, but the ongoing social attention to the issue suggests that numbers are either increasing or the population remains persistently high.