SHAH ALAM – Selangor is set to tighten data collection and monitoring of refugees and asylum seekers, particularly the Rohingya community, in high-density areas such as Selayang and Batang Kali as concerns over undocumented migrant management and enforcement come under renewed scrutiny.
Selangor Menteri Besar’s Political Secretary, Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad, said the state government would strengthen coordination with the Home Ministry (KDN), Immigration Department and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to obtain a clearer picture of the refugee population and their distribution in the state.
He said the move was also in line with the Federal Government’s latest efforts to address the long-standing issue, following the announcement that around 10,000 Myanmar nationals had been repatriated since January.
“Selangor needs more specific data on the number, distribution and actual circumstances of refugees and asylum seekers in the state.
“I will work towards closer monitoring with the local authorities and seek discussions with the top management of the Immigration Department and UNHCR,” he said in a statement.
Saifuddin said particular attention would also be given to the use and interpretation of UNHCR cards to prevent them from being misused or misunderstood by cardholders, employers and enforcement agencies.
He stressed that the state’s approach would remain firm while taking humanitarian considerations into account, but said humanitarian principles should not be interpreted as a licence to disregard existing laws and enforcement requirements.
The issue has gained renewed attention following the Federal Government’s repatriation programme involving Myanmar nationals held in immigration detention. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said in Parliament on Tuesday that the 10,000 people repatriated since January included not only Rohingya but also members of the Arakan, Karen and Shan communities.
The development has also brought renewed focus to the wider management of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, including the role of UNHCR and the status of refugee documentation.
UNHCR recorded about 215,600 refugees and asylum seekers registered in Malaysia as of the end of February 2026, of whom 193,824 were from Myanmar. This included 126,144 Rohingya, alongside other ethnic groups from conflict-affected areas or communities fleeing persecution.
The figures, however, refer to individuals registered with UNHCR and do not represent a complete count of all refugees or new arrivals in the country, according to the agency.
With Selangor among the states facing concentrated refugee populations in certain localities, the proposed monitoring exercise is expected to focus on establishing more reliable data while ensuring enforcement, public order and humanitarian considerations are addressed within the existing legal framework. -MalayaDailyToday
