The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will issue identification papers to Burmese Rohingyas living in the country illegally as a temporary measure while their asylum claims are assessed.

Ghiyathudeen, a Burmese social worker who has been working with the Rohingya community and the UNHCR, said the new papers would allow authorities to identify bearers as Rohingya.

"The difference between these papers and the old ones is that they state the bearer's ethnic origin, that they are Burmese Rohingyas," he said.

Rohingyas are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group who fled Burma claiming persecution by the military government.

The new identification papers will be given to the estimated 10,000 Rohingyas beginning Saturday while the UN body determines whether they should be classified as refugees.

UNHCR Protection Officer, Shinji Kubo, was not available for comment.

Hundreds of asylum seekers, mainly Burmese Ronhingyas and Acehnese, have gathered at the UN agency's office in Kuala Lumpur since Monday

I35 detained

This morning, police detained a total of 135 illegal immigrants, including Rohingyas in front of the UNHCR building.

When contacted, Brickfields Deputy Police Chief Kuzi Minai confirmed the arrests and said they were being held at the district police headquarters.

"They are suspected to be from Burma and Indonesia. They will be handed over to the Immigration Department today and it is up to the department whether they will be charged [under the amended Immigration Act]," he said.

Kuzi said the police would continue rounding up illegal immigrants in the vicinity of the UNHCR tomorrow.

The amended Immigration Act which comes into force today allows for mandatory whipping, a jail term of up to five years and a maximum fine of RM10,000 for both illegal workers and their employers.

When contacted, the Immigration Department declined to clarify whether those arrested today would be prosecuted under the new laws.

The press officer for the enforcement division, Ahmad Shukri, said the department could only comment on the arrests tomorrow.

Special passes

An estimated 300,000 illegal immigrants, mostly Indonesians, have left the country since the amnesty period was declared on March 22.

Another 1,110 immigrants who have already booked tickets home but could not leave before today, have been issued special passes by the government that will legalise their stay temporarily.

Illegal immigrants have been blamed for an increase in crime and social problems, but their departure has also created an acute labour shortage, especially in the construction industry.