KUALA LUMPUR: The government is developing a registration system to collect biometric data on all refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, says Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
He told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Dec 2) that this initiative, under National Security Council Directive No. 23, will give the government official data on refugees, which until now has been largely managed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
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"The information will also guide social support, employment and education programmes, while ensuring that national security remains a top priority.
"The Home Ministry, through the Immigration Department, will register all refugees and asylum seekers.
"Some applications may still be rejected if recognising the individual as a refugee poses a security risk," he told Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik).
Ahmad Tarmizi had asked if the government would use existing UNHCR data to register refugees or develop a new national database.
He also wanted to know if agencies such as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and NGOs running refugee schools would be involved to ensure transparency and better access to social services.
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Shamsul Anuar said the government is currently testing the registration system, which was developed with Mimos Berhad, and welcomed feedback from NGOs involved in refugee support.
He stressed that the programme is necessary because the government has not had access to comprehensive and official data on refugees in Malaysia, and collecting this information is a crucial step forward.
He said the programme, which will begin on Jan 1, involves several preparatory measures.
These include testing the registration system; establishing the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Isolation Centre in Bidor, Perak; finalising standard operating procedures for registration and refugee status determination in line with international standards; and completing amendments to relevant immigration regulations.
"Once refugees have been registered and issued the Refugee Registration Document (DPP), they will be allowed to live legally in Peninsular Malaysia and gain access to employment, education and healthcare," he said.
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Shamsul Anuar said the government currently does not have official data on refugees, as registration and status determination are managed by the UNHCR.
Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol, and therefore, the government does not maintain demographic records, including age, gender, or country of origin.
He added that once the DPP programme is fully implemented, around 200,000 refugees are expected to be included, though exact numbers are not yet available.
Details on work permit fees are still being reviewed by the Human Resources Ministry, along with other related issues being addressed by the relevant ministries.
