DPP Phase 2 To Involve UNHCR Card Holders, Refugees Outside Detention Depots
KUALA LUMPUR: Phase 2 of the Refugee Registration Document Programme (DPP), which involves the registration of individuals holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards and those claiming to be refugees outside Immigration Detention Depots (DTI), is planned to commence in the second half of this year.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) said that the process will be implemented at refugee status determination centres, which will be announced later.
“KDN targets the registration process for this group to be fully completed by 31 December 2029.
“The registration for this DPP Programme is implemented by a special unit, namely the Refugee Registration Task Force (TPP) under the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM),” according to KDN.
KDN said this in a written reply to Teresa Kok Suh Sim (PH-Seputeh), who asked the government to state the status of the DPP Programme implementation and the number of refugees who have been granted permission to work in Malaysia.
KDN said that the DPP Programme commenced on 1 January 2026, in line with National Security Council (MKN) Directive No. 23 (Revised 2023).
Meanwhile, according to KDN, Phase 1 of the DPP Programme was implemented with a focus on detainees, the majority of whom are Rohingya Myanmar nationals, at Immigration Detention Depots throughout Peninsular Malaysia.
He said that the total number of detainees who have been registered is 4,010 individuals, comprising 4,008 Myanmar nationals, as well as one Sudanese and one Syrian national each.
“This number includes 2,746 adult male detainees, 632 adult female detainees, 392 male children, and 240 female children.
“This group will be transferred in phases to the Special Segregation Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (PPKPPS), Bidor, Perak, which has an operational capacity of 400 detainees at any one time to undergo the Refugee Status Determination (PSP) process,” he said.
As of June 2026, a total of 128 Rohingya Myanmar detainees, comprising 127 adult males and one adult female, have been transferred to PPKPPS Bidor, Perak.
Of that number, 78 individuals have been approved for refugee status under the DPP Programme, while a pilot project for the DPP Employment Programme has also been implemented for this group.
“Of that number, 78 individuals (77 men and 1 woman) have been approved for refugee status under the DPP Programme. Their release will be carried out once the relevant processes are completed.
“A pilot project for the DPP Employment Programme has also been implemented for the group of 78 individuals who have been approved for refugee status under the DPP Programme, and 25 individuals have been identified as eligible for employment,” he said.
Kosmo Online