A Burmese refugee family of eight who had been squatting outside the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) building for over a month have returned to their rented house somewhere in the Klang Valley, the agency confirmed today.

An official speaking on behalf of Volker Turk, the UNHCR chief in Kuala Lumpur, said the family had vacated the area just outside the building's fence at the end of last month.

"A UNCHR representative met the family at their rented house - the one they lived in before coming to UNHCR - last week. The family was given financial assistance for their daily needs by the agency," the official said.

The temporary aid is normally given to a limited number of refugees who satisfy a 'vulnerability criteria'.

Harsh conditions

Malaysiakini was also informed that the head of the family, known only as Siddik, had finally agreed to accept UNHCR's temporary protection letter and has been registered with the agency.

Siddik, who claimed to be a Rohingyan - a Burmese ethnic minority deemed stateless - had earlier refused to accept UNHCR's offer as he was adamant on being registered as refugee with immediate resettlement needs.

He had subjected his wife and six children to the harsh conditions of living in the open under a shabby tent. He was frustrated with being caught in a system that held him bound in Malaysia without adequate protection and social support.

His change in attitude however could have been the result of the Malaysian government's announcement that it planned to issue identity cards to Rohingyas - who are predominantly Muslims - which will facilitate their employment and educational opportunities.