Malaysia’s foreign minister, Mohamad Hasan, has called for a review of the United Nations refugee agency’s presence in the country. The minister’s comments came after authorities detained over 100 Rohingya asylum seekers who had gathered outside the agency’s premises in Kuala Lumpur to seek assistance.
Refugee Documentation Concerns
Mohamad Hasan expressed concerns over the agency’s documentation process, stating that the government wants cooperation and strict screening of refugees. He warned that if the agency does not comply, Malaysia may reconsider its presence in the country. The UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur has been working with authorities to protect the detained Rohingya and verify their documentation.
Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN refugee convention and regards asylum seekers as illegal immigrants. However, the country has been a safe haven for Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar. The UNHCR has registered around 126,000 Rohingya Muslims in Malaysia as of the end of February.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
