# Malaysia reviews Rohingya repatriation and safety risks > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/malaysia-rohingya-refugee-crackdown > Updated: 2026-09-01T06:26:26.000Z. Sources: 39. Developments: 8. In late July 2026, Malaysia asked UNHCR to pause new refugee registrations while it finalised a Domestic Protection Programme (DPP) to improve identity verification. The UNHCR estimated about 215,600 refugees in the country, over half of them Rohingya, noting a rise in online hate speech against the group. Following alleged evictions in Penang, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered the detention of Rohingya refugees gathered outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur, citing public order concerns. More than 100 detainees were later released and relocated to sites in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Penang. On 29 July, Anwar announced a repatriation agreement with Myanmar to return roughly 5,000 Rohingya. While the Myanmar junta signalled readiness, Malaysia paused the plan on 4 August, stating it would not proceed until safety guarantees are secured and risks of persecution are reviewed. By 8 August, the Malaysian government confirmed it is conducting a detailed assessment of humanitarian conditions and security through the Foreign and Home Ministries. Interior Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail noted that refugee management must account for 19 different ethnic groups from Myanmar, including the Chin and Arakanese, rather than focusing solely on the Rohingya. The government stated that ultimate solutions may include repatriation, resettlement via UNHCR, or deportation through established legal processes as the DPP implementation continues to facilitate screening and security checks. On 27 August, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced the finalization of a phased, voluntary repatriation program. The first phase is scheduled for 29 September 2026, involving the return of 1,476 identified individuals to Myanmar via warships and a hospital ship provided by the Myanmar Navy. The remaining 4,008 Myanmar nationals, primarily Rohingya, will be processed under the DPP program. ## Claims - Around 126,000 Rohingya are registered with UNHCR in Malaysia as of the end of February. (disputed by 6 sources) - UNHCR counted about 215,600 refugees and asylum‑seekers in Malaysia at the end of February, more than half of whom are Rohingya from Myanmar. (disputed by 5 sources) - Myanmar pledged to facilitate the safe and dignified return of its displaced citizens. (disputed) - The Myanmar foreign ministry disavowed the Rohingya identity, claiming it is a false ethnic identity. (disputed) - Myanmar agreed to take 5,000 Rohingya asylum seekers from Malaysia. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement at a campaign rally in Negeri Sembilan. (corroborated by 6 sources) - More than 100 Rohingya refugees were detained outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and classifies asylum seekers as illegal migrants. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Myanmar’s presidential office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the agreement. (corroborated by 6 sources) - UNHCR in Kuala Lumpur did not comment on the repatriation deal. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Anwar directed that individuals without travel documents or valid permits be detained and possibly placed in an immigration depot. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered enforcement agencies to take action against Rohingya refugees gathered in front of the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur. (corroborated by 4 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: Malaysia to repatriate 1,476 Myanmar nationals in September Malaysia will repatriate 1,476 Myanmar nationals on September 29 as part of a voluntary program. UNHCR warned that conditions in Myanmar remain unsafe for refugee return and stated it is not involved in the计划. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unhcr-warns-malaysia-over-rohingya-repatriation-plans ### 2026-08-27: Malaysia to begin phased repatriation of 5,000 Myanmar refugees Malaysia will begin repatriating 5,000 Myanmar refugees in phases starting September 29, 2026, while diplomats in Bangladesh urge for safe, rights-based return conditions for the Rohingya. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysia-to-begin-phased-repatriation-of-5000-myanmar-refugees ### 2026-08-08: Malaysia reviews Myanmar refugee repatriation and safety risks Malaysia is assessing the safety of Rohingya refugees before any potential repatriation. Officials noted that management must include all 19 Myanmar ethnic groups, with goals of return, resettlement, or legal遣送 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysia-reviews-myanmar-refugee-repatriation-and-safety-risks ### 2026-08-05: Malaysia halts UNHCR refugee registrations to launch new registration system Malaysia asks UNHCR to pause refugee registrations as it rolls out a new Refugee Registration Document, sparking civil‑society concerns amid planned repatriation of Myanmar nationals. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysia-halts-unhcr-refugee-registrations-to-launch-new-registration-system ### 2026-08-04: Malaysia pauses plan to return 5,000 Myanmar Rohingya refugees pending safety review Malaysia will not return 5,000 Myanmar Rohingya refugees if their safety cannot be guaranteed, amid rising anti‑Rohingya sentiment and calls from Human Rights Watch to halt the plan. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysia-halts-planned-return-of-5000-rohingya-refugees-over-safety-concerns ### 2026-07-29: Myanmar to accept 5,000 Rohingya refugees from Malaysia Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim says Myanmar will repatriate 5,000 Rohingya refugees. About 126,000 Rohingya are in Malaysia; recent tensions led to the detention and release of 109 refugees. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/myanmar-to-repatriate-5000-rohingya-from-malaysia-as-109-detained-refugees-freed ### 2026-07-27: Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim orders crackdown on Rohingya refugees at UNHCR office Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim ordered police and immigration to detain Rohingya refugees outside the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur, citing lack of permits amid rising hate speech and over 215,600 refugees in the c‑ 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysian-pm-anwar-ibrahim-orders-crackdown-on-rohingya-refugees-at-unhcr-office ### 2026-07-23: Malaysia Requests UNHCR Pause New Refugee Registrations Malaysia asked UNHCR to halt new refugee registrations as it rolls out its own DPP system, affecting over 215,000 refugees, mainly Rohingya, and plans to deport about 5,000 Myanmar nationals. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysia-requests-unhcr-pause-new-refugee-registrations --- Cite as: Malaysia reviews Rohingya repatriation and safety risks. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/malaysia-rohingya-refugee-crackdown