Malaysian govt wants more say on refugee management

PUTRAJAYA: More efficient management of refugees and asylum seekers through new mechanisms and cooperation with UNHCR are being mulled by the government, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).

The Deputy Prime Minister said the government was considering an agreement with the UNHCR on its roles and responsibilities in managing refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia in line with Resolution 428 (V) of the United Nations.

He said the involvement of government agencies, UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and non-governmental organisations would be further enhanced through more efficient management and enforcement mechanisms.

“The government will put more emphasis on planning and strengthening its role through four improvement clusters,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid said committees and a special task force would be established under the refugees and asylum seekers management mechanism.

“The government will also be more involved in determining refugee status that was previously done by UNHCR unilaterally.

“The enforcement and legislation of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia will also be coordinated,” he added.

Ahmad Zahid said refugees who are registered with the government would also be provided with a social support system.

“Coordination of the monitoring, assistance and social support throughout the period the refugees are in Malaysia will be limited to those who have registered with the government.”

This he added is, “Only as a preparation before they are placed in a third country.”

The Deputy Prime Minister earlier chaired the High Committee Meeting on Refugees and Asylum Seekers Management by the National Security Council here.

Ahmad Zahid who is also the council chairman said there are currently a total of 185,760 UNHCR cardholders in Malaysia.

Of these, 160,332 are from Myanmar with 67% of them of Rohingya ethnicity.

Other significant number of nationalities were Pakistanis (7,109), Yemenis (3,466), Afghans (3,444), Somalians (3,161), and Syrians (3,161).

Last year, then home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the government would provide proper assistance and benefits to UNHCR cardholders who are registered under the Tracing Refugees Information System programme.