Malaysia’s coastguard announced an increase in patrols to locate boats carrying undocumented Myanmar migrants after authorities detained 196 individuals on Langkawi island in Kedah. The migrants were apprehended early Friday when their boat reached the resort island’s shores.
According to coastguard director-general Mohd Rosli Abdullah, surveillance efforts now include air patrols and cooperation with Thai authorities to track two additional boats reportedly carrying migrants. Despite these measures, the exact locations of the vessels remain unknown.
While the coastguard did not confirm whether the detained migrants were Rohingya, local reports suggest that around 200 Rohingya refugees were among those who arrived on Langkawi. The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority from Myanmar, have faced severe persecution, prompting nearly one million to flee to Bangladesh and other countries since 2017.
Malaysia has historically been a preferred destination for Rohingya refugees escaping violence in Myanmar or overcrowded camps in Bangladesh. However, the country does not officially recognize refugee status. In recent years, it has taken a stricter stance, turning away boats and detaining thousands of undocumented migrants in overcrowded facilities.
From 2010 to 2024, Malaysian authorities detained 2,089 Myanmar migrants attempting to enter the country by sea, showing the scale of the ongoing migration crisis.
This development highlights the urgent need for international collaboration to address the root causes of migration and ensure the humane treatment of displaced individuals.