Malaysia hosts over 190,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers, nearly 90% of whom are from Myanmar, including more than 111,000 Rohingya mainly living around the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, and the surrounding Klang Valley. The rest are from over 50 countries – including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen – and are seeking asylum and refugee status in Malaysia after fleeing war and persecution in their home countries.
Malaysia has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. There is no domestic legislation in place that recognises the legal status of asylum seekers, refugees, or stateless people. These people have limited access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities in Malaysia. They face the risk of arbitrary arrest; detention in crowded migrant centres with poor hygiene and inadequate access to food, water, and healthcare; and exploitation, such as through human trafficking.
Between December 2024 and January 2025, the northeast monsoon brought heavy rains and caused severe flooding, especially in the states of Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. The floods damaged homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure, including roads, airports, and railways. As a result, at least 15,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
(UNHCR accessed 23/01/2025, Togoo and Ismail 01/2021, HRW 05/03/2024, IFRC 09/01/2025)
Malaysia hosts over 190,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers, nearly 90% of whom are from Myanmar, including more than 111,000 Rohingya mainly living around the capital city, Kuala Lumpur, and the surrounding Klang Valley. The rest are from over 50 countries – including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen – and are seeking asylum and refugee status in Malaysia after fleeing war and persecution in their home countries.
Malaysia has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol. There is no domestic legislation in place that recognises the legal status of asylum seekers, refugees, or stateless people. These people have limited access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities in Malaysia. They face the risk of arbitrary arrest; detention in crowded migrant centres with poor hygiene and inadequate access to food, water, and healthcare; and exploitation, such as through human trafficking.
Between December 2024 and January 2025, the northeast monsoon brought heavy rains and caused severe flooding, especially in the states of Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. The floods damaged homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure, including roads, airports, and railways. As a result, at least 15,000 people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
(UNHCR accessed 23/01/2025, Togoo and Ismail 01/2021, HRW 05/03/2024, IFRC 09/01/2025)
