Reports coming in from Malaysia states that there are 4,280 Sri Lankan refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia.

They have accompanied 3% of the 145,025 foreigners who have UNHCR cards as of May.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar speaking to Malaysian media said that of the 14 LTTE members arrested this year, seven were using UNHCR cards.

UNHCR spokesman in Kuala Lumpur, Yante Ismail, has also made a statement that the organisation was unable to comment on suspected Tamil Tiger leaders with UNHCR cards, adding that it was the body’s policy not to publicly comment on individual cases involving asylum-seekers and refugees.

According to UNHCR Malaysia, registered refugees and asylum-seekers could move freely as they were not in camps.

The organisation said refugees were unable to work legally, but had access to the informal work sector and opportunities for self-reliance. 

According to a social worker who declined to be named, the Sri Lankan Tamil refugees started arriving in droves here some 10 to 15 years ago, seeking to move to other countries.