PETALING JAYA: The Refugee Registration Document Program (DPP) is not intended to grant citizenship to refugees but acts as a way to gather data to help strengthen national security and enforcement effectiveness, the Home Ministry says.
In a statement on Saturday (June 13), it noted the recent public focus on refugees, in particular the Rohingya community, and added that this was a long-standing issue spanning numerous administrations.
“The ministry understands that much of the public concern currently centers around the Rohingya community, which represents one of the largest refugee groups in Malaysia.
“The presence of refugees, holders of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards, as well as individuals claiming refugee status, is not a new phenomenon.
"Rather, it is a legacy issue that has persisted for decades across multiple administrations.
“Over this period, refugee management has become increasingly complex due to changes in the global landscape and challenges in resettlement to third countries.
"This situation requires a more organised and data-driven approach to help the government manage various implications related to security, public health, employment, and social well-being," it said.
It added that data on refugees have yet to be fully integrated into government systems.
