UNHCR reveals nearly 200 Rohingya reached Malaysia in past year as boat tragedy claims lives, highlighting regional refugee crisis and trafficking dangers
PETALING JAYA: Rohingya refugees are fleeing escalating violence in Myanmar and Bangladesh, with traffickers exploiting their desperation. According to the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR), nearly 200 have reached Malaysia in the past year and many have died at sea.
In an email response to theSun, the UNHCR said the conflict in Rakhine state has displaced hundreds of thousands since 2023, forcing thousands more to flee across borders in 2024.
“Since February 2022, an estimated 22,460 Rohingya refugees have embarked on dangerous sea journeys from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Some 782 Rohingya refugees were rescued or safely disembarked in Malaysia since 2022, including 196 in the past 12 months,” it said.
UNHCR noted the largest displacement occurred in 2017, when more than 750,000 Rohingya fled into Bangladesh.
Latest UNHCR data shows Malaysia currently hosts 189,700 Myanmar refugees and asylum-seekers, representing 12% of displaced Rohingya in the region as of Oct 31.
Within the same period, an estimated 21,300 Rohingya arrived in Malaysia after February 2021 alone.
“The Rohingya have long faced violence, discrimination and targeted persecution in Myanmar. They have been denied basic rights and services – including citizenship, healthcare, education and work – and repeatedly driven from their homes.
“Refugees hope to contribute to host communities, but limited access to education, employment and livelihoods – compounded by global humanitarian funding cuts – leaves them vulnerable to despair and exploitation,” UNHCR said.
On traffickers’ role, the agency added that refugees resort to irregular and risky routes because safe pathways are largely unavailable.
“Limited legal pathways for refugees to seek safety and reunite with family members drive them to risky channels, with traffickers preying on desperation through false promises,” it said.
On Nov 6, one of three boats carrying an estimated 300 migrants capsized near Tarutao Island, close to the Malaysia–Thailand border. As of Nov 17, authorities recovered 28 bodies believed to be Rohingya and rescued 14 survivors from a boat carrying roughly 70 people. A total of 42 victims have been found, with the rest still missing.
Police have launched a joint operation with Interpol and Aseanapol targeting an international migrant-smuggling syndicate linked to the incident.
UNHCR said it has “offered support to authorities to identify the international protection needs of the survivors and to extend humanitarian assistance”, but did not indicate whether the offer had been accepted.
