Malaysia Orders UNHCR to Temporarily Halt Refugee Registrations as It Builds Domestic Management System

Malaysia has directed UNHCR to temporarily halt refugee registrations while it restructures the system around its domestic Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme, launched in January 2026. Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said the Cabinet-approved suspension would allow the government to manage data in a more structured manner, including identity verification, monitoring and regulation, without relying entirely on the records of foreign entities. UNHCR said about 215,600 refugees and asylum-seekers were registered with it in Malaysia at the end of February. Reuters reported a recent rise in online hate speech and misinformation targeting Rohingya refugees. Lukanisman also said plans were underway to deport approximately 5,000 detained Myanmar nationals by naval vessels, subject to Myanmar’s agreement. Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, and refugees in the country are not allowed to work or receive an education.

UNHCR registration suspension

• ▪The decision to suspend United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees registrations was made by the Malaysian Cabinet to allow for the restructuring of the refugee management system.
• ▪Malaysia has directed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to temporarily halt all refugee registrations in the country.

Malaysia domestic refugee system

• ▪The Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme is intended to enable the Malaysian government to manage data in a more structured manner, including identity verification, monitoring and regulation, without relying entirely on the records of foreign entities.
• ▪Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention; refugees in the country are not allowed to work or receive an education.
• ▪Malaysia launched its own domestic refugee registration programme, known as the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme, in January 2026.

Refugee population demographics

• ▪At the end of February 2026, there were approximately 215,600 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia.
• ▪Of the registered refugees in Malaysia, 193,824 are from Myanmar, including 126,144 ethnic Rohingya, 15,774 Chins, and 33,002 from other ethnic groups.

Anti-Rohingya sentiment

• ▪Malaysia has experienced a rise in online hate speech and misinformation targeting Rohingya refugees, with social media users accusing them of taking jobs and land.

Myanmar national deportation plans

• ▪Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni said plans were underway to deport approximately 5,000 Myanmar nationals currently held in immigration detention centres using naval vessels, subject to Myanmar’s agreement.
• ▪In 2021, Malaysia deported more than 1,000 Myanmar nationals by ship despite a court-ordered halt; rights groups said the repatriation exercise included asylum-seekers and UNHCR-registered refugees.