Malaysia To Develop Own Mechanism To Manage Refugees, Asylum Seekers

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will develop its own mechanism to manage refugees and asylum seekers without relying on foreign entities, as outlined under National Security Council (MKN) Directive No. 23 regarding the Policy and Mechanism for the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (revised 2023).

Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said that emphasis is given to efficient management and enforcement mechanisms, coordination of policies involving access to welfare and social services, while also guaranteeing national security and sovereignty.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said that this includes granting access to healthcare, education, and work permits to all eligible refugees.

“Effective management of refugee issues also requires a balance between national law enforcement and the social responsibilities of the community.

“The government’s enforcement strategies are often disrupted due to the existence of facilitators among local citizens, driven by personal interests such as rental profits or cheap labour,” he said in a written reply published via the Parliament portal today.

He was responding to a question from Datuk Shamshulkahar Mohd Deli (BN-Jempol), who asked about the government’s efforts in formulating a comprehensive refugee policy following the implementation of the Refugee Registration Document (DPP), given that Malaysia hosts more than 126,000 registered Rohingya refugees.

Ahmad Zahid said that the government through MKN, the Prime Minister’s Department, in collaboration with various ministries and government agencies, has strengthened MKN Directive No. 23, which was signed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 14 June 2023, as an effort to manage refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.

He said that the comprehensive MKN Directive No. 23 aims, among others, to establish the functions and roles of each ministry and government agency involved in the management of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.

BERNAMA