Malaysia
Malaysia
In Malaysia, UNHCR leads refugee protection and registration while working to expand inclusion and self-reliance in the absence of a legal framework.

Key statistics
256,428
people were displaced or stateless (or returning from forced displacement) within the country at the end of 2024
138,414
people were registered as refugees in the country at the end of 2024, mostly from Myanmar
$21.8 million
are needed in 2025 to ensure that operations and programmes in Malaysia are sustained
Malaysia hosts over 180,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, the vast majority from Myanmar – including a large Rohingya population – with others from more than 50 countries. Most live in urban areas across Peninsular Malaysia, notably in Klang Valley, Johor, and Penang.
In the absence of a legal framework for refugee protection, UNHCR leads all aspects of registration, documentation, and status determination. The organization also works with the Government of Malaysia to strengthen the protection environment and develop a more inclusive refugee policy aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact on Refugees.
Together with partners – including civil society, the private sector, and refugee communities – UNHCR advocates for greater self-reliance by promoting access to legal work, education, healthcare, and social protection.
Strategy and results
This section provides key information related to the Global Appeal and Global Report.
Strategy
Latest multi-year strategy, outlining key priorities and a comprehensive overview of operational plans as part of the Global Appeal.
Indicators and targets
Indicators and targets enable operations to establish their benchmarks and targets for comparison with results.
Annual Results Report
Latest Annual Results Report highlighting key achievements from the year and published as part of the Global Report.
Population and financial overview
Malaysia
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Populations
Population types
Population types
Population by country
Population by country
Population by origin
Population by origin
Financial
Budget and expenditure trend
Budget and expenditure trend
Budget by pillar
Budget by pillar
Budget by objective
Budget by objective
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
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Strategy - Country
Strategy
Street Address:
570 Jalan Bukit Petaling, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 10185, 50706 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone:
+60 3 2118 4800
Fax:
+60 3 2141 1780
Email:
[email protected]
Time zone:
GMT +8
Working hours
- Monday: 8:00 - 16:00
- Tuesday: 8:00 - 16:00
- Wednesday: 8:00 - 16:00
- Thursday: 8:00 - 16:00
- Friday: 8:00 - 16:00
- Saturday: closed
- Sunday: closed