PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry (KDN) has been directed to submit the refugee data being compiled under the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme by the end of this year.
Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the data would be submitted to the relevant Cabinet Committee for further action.
"KDN has been asked to submit to the Cabinet Committee by the end of this year the number of individuals whose status has been accurately and conclusively verified through the DPP,” he said.
He told a press conference after witnessing the exchange of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Immigration Department (JIM) here Tuesday (Aug 18).
Also present were Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, MCMC chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din and Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
Saifuddin Nasution said KDN, through its agencies, was currently finalising the refugee data by conducting interviews at detention depots nationwide.
"We need to determine whether they are genuinely refugees or individuals involved in other cases.
"Or whether they are foreigners who have committed offences under the Immigration Act, such as misusing their passes, overstaying or entering the country without valid documents. We must first establish the actual number,” he said.
Asked whether the Myanmar refugees identified included the Rohingya, he said they were among those from Myanmar.
The ministry, through JIM, was implementing the DPP programme to manage the issue in a more systematic manner, in line with National Security Council Directive No. 23 (Revision 2023). - Bernama
