Kuala Lumpur police have officially clarified that no arrests were made regarding a group of Rohingya refugees who gathered outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Jalan Bukit Petaling. The statement, issued by Kuala Lumpur police chief Commissioner Datuk Fadil Marsus, was intended to correct international media reports that suggested the individuals were arrested upon their arrival in the capital. The refugees had traveled to Kuala Lumpur by bus after being evicted from their settlement in Penang.
According to the police, the group was moved to the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters not for detention, but for necessary documentation and identity verification. Authorities confirmed that the refugees were screened by police and UNHCR representatives to verify their status. The process revealed that the individuals possessed valid UNHCR documentation, and they were subsequently released from the police facility.
This incident began when the refugees set up temporary tents outside the UNHCR office, prompting a response from local authorities to maintain public order. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously emphasized the importance of adhering to Malaysian law, noting that individuals without valid documents would face standard legal procedures. The police maintained that the area outside the UNHCR office is a sensitive location that cannot be used as a settlement.
Moving forward, the UNHCR is expected to coordinate further assistance for the group, including identifying suitable accommodation. The police have also indicated that the refugees would be transferred in stages to different states as part of a broader management plan involving non-governmental organizations. The situation remains under observation as authorities continue to balance public order requirements with the humanitarian needs of the refugee population.