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Around 200 refugees arrived in Kuala Lumpur after leaving Penaga, Penang
Hundreds of Rohingya refugees gathered outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Jalan Bukit Petaling, Kuala Lumpur, on Monday, 27 July.
The group, believed to comprise around 200 ethnic Rohingya refugees, arrived in the capital after leaving their settlement in Kuala Muda, Penaga, Penang, where many had lived for almost two decades.
Families, including elderly people and young children, were seen setting up makeshift tents outside the UNHCR office while waiting for assistance, Harian Metro reported.
Police officers were also deployed to maintain public order in the area.
They had lived in Penaga for years before tensions escalated
According to those at the scene, the refugees travelled overnight after leaving Penaga on the night of 26 July.
The Rohingya community had reportedly been renting around 33 homes in Kuala Muda, with some having lived there for nearly two decades while working as fishermen and small business owners.
According to information shared online and accounts from those involved, the relocation was coordinated by local authorities together with the local Village Community Development Committee (MPKK) and village leaders.
The move reportedly followed growing tensions in the village, with some local residents and fishermen raising concerns over socio-economic competition, social issues, and broader community friction.
The Rohingya refugees have set up camp in front of the UNHCR office after claiming to have been driven out by locals from their settlement in Penang.
Image via Mohd Haris Fadli Mohd Fadzil/Harian MetroThe refugees say they were given little time to leave
One of the refugees, 28-year-old Rizuan, claimed they decided to leave because they feared for their safety after allegedly being threatened by local residents.
He said they were given little time to pack their belongings and had to leave many items behind.
"I've lived there for 14 years and there were never any problems before. I don't know what happened to make them angry. Maybe one or two people caused trouble, but all of us ended up paying the price," he said.
Rizuan added that his family now has nowhere else to go and is hoping UNHCR can help find them a safer place to stay, especially as his wife is pregnant.
Another refugee, identified only as Ahmad, also said he did not know why they were allegedly told to leave after living in the area for years.
Earlier, videos of buses leaving Penaga went viral
Videos circulating on social media showed several tour buses leaving Kuala Muda, Penaga last night, reportedly carrying the Rohingya refugees to Kuala Lumpur.
The posts drew widespread attention online, with some users expressing support for the community's removal from the village.
Meanwhile, Brickfields district police chief ACP Hoo Chang Hook confirmed with Harian Metro that police officers stationed outside the UNHCR office were there solely to maintain security and public order.
