Malaysia repatriates 1,500 Rohingya to Myanmar despite UN criticism

September 29, 2026 at 04:22 PM1 min

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Malaysia began repatriating nearly 1,500 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar on Tuesday. The operation drew criticism from the United Nations and international rights groups over safety concerns. The move comes as an estimated 125,000 Rohingya live in Malaysia without formal education, healthcare, or work rights.

Key Facts

Malaysia began repatriating an initial group of nearly 1,500 Rohingya to Myanmar on Tuesday.
An estimated 125,000 Rohingya currently live in Malaysia, relying on informal employment and donor-funded education.
The United Nations and international rights groups criticized the repatriation, citing longstanding persecution of Rohingya in Myanmar's Rakhine state.
In 2017, a Myanmar military crackdown forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee, mostly to Bangladesh.

Repatriation Operation

The Malaysian government began repatriating nearly 1,500 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar on Tuesday. The operation was criticized by the United Nations and international rights groups. Rohingya are regarded as one of the world's most persecuted minorities and are essentially stateless, as Myanmar does not recognize them as citizens.

Rohingya Life in Malaysia

An estimated 125,000 Rohingya live in Malaysia, where they are not allowed to access formal education or healthcare. Rohingya parents cannot work legally and rely on informal jobs such as car washes, restaurant kitchens, and courier services. Riyadh Al Haq, a Rohingya human rights activist, said life in Malaysia is safer than in Myanmar.