Malaysia Says Rohingya Resettlement Abroad Has Stalled

Malaysia Says Rohingya Resettlement Abroad Has Stalled
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Malaysia’s police chief says between 7,000 and 8,000 Rohingya refugees were previously resettled abroad each year through government-to-government arrangements, but the process has now stalled due to constraints faced by destination countries.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said Malaysia had accepted Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds, as their displacement stems from political and security conditions in Myanmar. He said some refugees were previously placed temporarily in Malaysia before being resettled in third countries that needed their labour or professional services.

Khalid said the halt in resettlement has created social and administrative challenges requiring coordination between authorities, while stressing that Malaysia continues to balance humanitarian concerns with national security.

He said about 215,000 Rohingya are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, while Malaysian authorities also maintain records in cooperation with the Immigration Department to monitor their whereabouts and activities.

The police chief said crime involving Rohingya remains low, with 89 individuals linked to criminal cases between 2024 and 2026, representing about 0.02 percent of national crime statistics.

In Selangor, police reported 192 cases involving 300 Rohingya arrests from 2025 to May 2026, mostly involving violent and property-related offences. Authorities said enforcement operations are continuing in cooperation with immigration officials and local councils, including action related to illegal settlements.