Police say the victim was found with stab and slash wounds at a worker’s dormitory in Kota Bharu
By Arakan Journal Staff
September 22, 2026
KOTA BHARU, Malaysia – September 22, 2026
An 18-year-old Rohingya refugee was found dead at a workers’ dormitory in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, on September 19, with police investigating the case as a murder.
Kelantan police said they were alerted shortly after midnight after the teenager was found with stab and slash wounds to his neck at the dormitory in Taman Desa Kujid, Kampung Pok Boh.
Police later raided a nearby house following information received and arrested four people aged between 22 and 38.
The suspects include a Malaysian man believed to be the victim’s employer and three Rohingya nationals, including a woman.
Police seized a Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck and four mobile phones during the operation. Authorities said none of the four suspects had previous criminal records.
All four have been remanded for seven days to assist investigations under Section 302 of Malaysia’s Penal Code, which covers murder.
Police have not established a motive for the killing.
Authorities have appealed to witnesses or anyone with information to contact the Kota Bharu district police headquarters operations room at 09-7752200 or the nearest police station.
Raising hostility
The killing comes amid growing concern over hostility and online attacks targeting Rohingya refugees in Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM) said in June that it was deeply concerned about increasing hostility, discriminatory rhetoric and online attacks against the Rohingya community. The commission urged Malaysians to avoid harmful stereotypes, misinformation and rhetoric that could promote hatred or hostility toward refugees and asylum seekers.
The recent killing, however, has not been linked by police to the wider anti-Rohingya sentiment, and investigators have yet to establish a motive.
Malaysia hosts a large Rohingya refugee population, many of whom fled persecution, conflict and serious human rights abuses in Myanmar.
Source: The Rakyat Post; SUHAKAM
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