Malaysian authorities have recently intercepted two boats carrying nearly 300 individuals believed to be Muslim Rohingya refugees who had entered the country illegally. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency reported that after a group of 196 Rohingya refugees landed on Langkawi island, two additional boats were detected attempting to enter the country. These individuals were also identified as Rohingya and were found to be exhausted and lacking sufficient food and water supplies.
The Maritime Enforcement Agency provided assistance to the two boats, including food supplies and drinking water, before escorting them out of the country to continue their journey. While their destination was not disclosed, it is known that many Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have been enticed by traffickers to seek better opportunities elsewhere.
Following the brutal counterinsurgency campaign in Myanmar in 2017, many Rohingya fled to escape the violence perpetrated by Myanmar's security forces, which included mass rapes and killings. Malaysia, with its predominantly Malay Muslim population, has been a sought-after destination for Rohingya refugees.
Although Malaysia has previously accepted Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds, the country has been cautious about the potential for a large influx of individuals arriving by boat. As of the end of November, there were approximately 111,410 Rohingya refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia, constituting about 58% of the total refugee population in the country.
