199 Crime Cases Involving Myanmar Refugees Recorded Nationwide Since 2022
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor recorded the highest number of index crime cases involving Myanmar refugees, with 58 cases reported between 2022 and August 2026, according to the Home Ministry (KDN).
In a written reply published on Parliament’s website, the ministry said a total of 199 index crime cases involving Myanmar refugees were recorded nationwide during the period, based on statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Of the total, 52 cases were recorded in 2022, followed by 43 in 2023, 37 in 2024, 29 in 2025 and 38 as of August 2026.
By state, Kedah recorded 26 cases after Selangor, followed by Johor (24), Kuala Lumpur (22), Penang, Pahang and Kelantan with 13 cases each, Perak and Terengganu with 12 cases each, Melaka (four) and Negeri Sembilan (two).
The ministry explained that the management of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia is carried out comprehensively under National Security Council (NSC) Directive No. 23, which establishes guidelines and defines the roles of ministries and enforcement agencies to safeguard national security.
“The government has also strengthened control and monitoring of refugee communities, including ethnic Rohingya, through the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) Programme, which began on January 1, 2026.
“The programme aims to strengthen centralised refugee data management and reduce complete reliance on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),” the ministry said.
KDN said that under Phase 1 of the programme, a total of 4,010 detainees at immigration detention depots throughout Peninsular Malaysia had been registered, comprising 4,008 Myanmar nationals, one Sudanese national and one Syrian national.
“Adult individuals will be transferred in stages to the Special Isolation Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Bidor, Perak, which has an operational capacity of 400,” the ministry said.
The statement was issued in response to a question from Datuk Adnan Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) regarding the number of criminal offences involving Myanmar refugees by state, as well as government measures to strengthen control, registration and monitoring of the community to ensure public safety and order.
Meanwhile, in response to a question from Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu), KDN said a total of 159,232 undocumented migrants were arrested during 53,318 enforcement operations conducted by the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM) nationwide from 2025 to August 2026.
The operations also involved inspections of 659,191 individuals, while action was taken against 6,099 employers found to have employed or harboured undocumented migrants without valid authorisation.
Regarding the forgery of UNHCR cards, the ministry explained that only one case had been recorded by the Royal Malaysia Police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) to date.
“The case, which occurred in Kuala Lumpur, involved six Myanmar nationals, all of whom have been charged in court,” the ministry said.
Rosol had sought information on the total number of UNHCR card fraud cases recorded in Malaysia to date and the action taken against those involved, as well as the number of foreign nationals arrested since 2023, categorised by country of origin, type of offence and enforcement action taken.
Bernama