Malaysia Grants Temporary Stay To Myanmar Refugees

UN Welcomes Malaysia’s Decision To Grant Temporary Stay To Myanmar Refugees

The United Nations refugee agency today welcomed the recent decision of the Malaysian Government to grant temporary stay permits to the Rohingya refugee population from Myanmar.

“This demonstrates the strong humanitarian commitment of Malaysia and of this Government in particular,” said Ron Redmond, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). “The action will regularize the situation of the refugees, who up until now had been tolerated but were still considered illegal migrants and subject to arrest.”

According to UNHCR estimates, there are some 10,000 Rohingyas – who come from North Rakhine State in Myanmar – living in Malaysia, many of whom arrived during the 1990s.

Mr. Redmond said the agency is awaiting all the details of the decision, which is still being prepared within the Malaysian Home Affairs Ministry, so it can inform the Rohingyas. “We’re ready to assist the authorities in any way we can to help implement the decision,” he said.

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