Malaysia Strengthens Maritime Security After Rejecting Rohingya Refugees

Malaysia has announced plans to enhance security measures along its maritime borders after refusing entry to nearly 300 Rohingya refugees. The state of Kedah, which borders Thailand, will strengthen measures to prevent undocumented migrants from accessing Langkawi’s waters, according to local media reports. Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the regional head of Kedah, emphasized the importance of agencies working together to safeguard the waters.

Authorities in Malaysia recently detained 196 Rohingya refugees after their boat ran aground near Teluk Yu beach on Langkawi island. Additionally, two boats carrying around 300 Rohingya refugees were turned away by Malaysian authorities. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency reported that the boats attempted to enter after the first boat had grounded. Muhammad urged concerned agencies to take the situation seriously, as Langkawi has been a frequent target for such incidents.

According to the UNHCR, as of November, there were over 192,000 refugees and asylum-seekers registered in Malaysia, with the majority coming from Myanmar. This includes 111,410 Rohingya, 27,800 Chins, and 31,000 individuals from other ethnic groups fleeing conflict or persecution in Myanmar. The country has been under a coup regime since 2021, leading to a significant number of people seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Malaysia.

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