Demolition work began on June 13, 2026, targeting illegal single-storey structures at the rear of a Rohingya settlement in Sungai Tekali, Hulu Langat, Selangor. The effort focuses on buildings on both government reserve and private land but excludes the widely discussed three-storey building, which stands entirely on private land and is not currently being demolished, according to Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan and other officials [1, 2, 3, 4].
The four-storey illegal structure linked to the settlement is subject to demolition, though sources differ on whether the three-storey building will be affected. Some reports say demolition is planned for the four-storey building [5, 6], but authorities say the three-storey building is excluded for now [1, 2].
Demolition is expected to take about two weeks, with the RM600,000 cost being borne voluntarily by the landowner [5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6]. Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan said, "I was informed that the demolition involves the single-storey structures at the rear of the site and not the three-storey building that has been widely described as a flat in viral social media postings." He added the timeframe was requested by the landowner himself [1].
The Rohingya occupants have mostly vacated the buildings following enforcement actions and viral social media exposure, though a few families and a Rohingya-run food outlet remain [5, 7]. MP Mohd Sany Hamzan noted, "At least three families are still living there, but the rest have already moved out" [5].
The landowner reportedly built and rented out around 25 to 30 illegal flats from 2019, collecting over RM15,000 monthly in rent. Refugee Husain Abdullah said, "Units were rented out at RM400, RM500, RM600 and RM750 to Rohingya residents, including myself, and the owner collected more than RM15,000 in monthly rental income" [7].
A local micro-economy developed within the settlement, including a coffee processing facility, mechanical workshop, lorry parking, and an eatery [6]. Authorities have taken enforcement actions against illegal Rohingya structures in the area since 2016, with multiple official notices issued under the National Land Code [8]. The most recent enforcement notices were reaffirmed publicly by the Selangor Menteri Besar on June 11, 2026 [8].
Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan described the demolition and migrant issues as a multi-agency effort involving land offices, municipal bodies, law enforcement, and police [5, 1, 2, 8, 3, 4]. Complaints about misconduct by Rohingya residents should be reported to authorities for lawful action, said Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin [9]. The Terengganu state government also stresses a measured, fact-based approach to enforcement [10].
As of April 2026, Malaysia had 219,472 UNHCR card holders, including many Rohingya refugees [5]. A separate investigation into 27 Rohingya migrant deaths off Langkawi last year continues [11].
The demolition operation in Sungai Tekali is expected to conclude around the end of June 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 6].
