Malaysia needs a temporary pause on refugee intake

MALAYSIA'S long-standing role as a host country for refugees, particularly Rohingyas, reflects both humanitarian concern and regional responsibility. However, the increasing complexity of displacement in South-East Asia requires Malaysia to move beyond ad hoc responses to establishing a more comprehensive legal, institutional and diplomatic framework before accepting further refugee arrivals on a significant scale.

A temporary halt or strict limitation on new refugee intake should not be seen as a rejection of humanitarian responsibility. Rather, it should be framed as a necessary governance measure to ensure that Malaysia can manage refugee protection in an orderly, sustainable and legitimate way.