Over 450 Muslims who fled by boat from Arakan state have arrived safely in Malaysia according to Rohingya leader Professor Abdul Hamid. But one person died during the two week journey in the rickety wooden boat.
“This is one of the largest groups of Rohingya Muslims who have reached Malaysia this year,” according to the professor.
A police official from Malaysia’s northern Langkawi Island confirmed that the boat arrived on Dec. 30. “One man drowned while trying to swim ashore. The others are in police custody.” However the official didn’t have the authority to comment on whether they’ll be permitted to stay in Malaysia.
The UN’s refugee agency has registered about 25,000 Rohingyas in Malaysia. Some came following the recent sectarian violence between Rakhine and Rohingyas in Arakan state. But there are just as many unregistered refugees living in the country, according to Abdul Hamid.
On Dec.31, 74 Rohingya refugees also travelling by boat from Arakan state to Malaysia, reportedly stopped for supplies at Rawai, Thailand. But it’s unknown whether they made it to their final destination.
