UNHCR Card Does Not Exempt One from Immigration Laws – JIM
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) has denied that it ever issued a statement claiming that Rohingya individuals holding United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards are not undocumented migrants (PATI).
Immigration Director-General, Datuk Zakaria Shaaban, said refugees holding valid UNHCR cards are still subject to the provisions of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
According to him, this ethnic group can be subject to action like undocumented migrants if they commit other immigration offences, including working without a valid pass or permit.
“Employers who employ refugees holding UNHCR cards without proper authorisation can also be subject to legal action,” he said in a statement today.
He explained that exemptions only apply to two offences under the Immigration Act, namely not possessing a valid travel document or pass, and overstaying.
“The exemption from these two offences does not mean that UNHCR card holders are exempted from complying with other provisions under the Immigration Act,” he said.
Zakaria emphasised that the management of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia is implemented based on government policy coordinated through National Security Council (MKN) Directive No. 23: Policy and Mechanism for the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, as well as the Cabinet Committee on Refugees and Asylum Seekers chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and JIM are tasked with implementing the registration of refugees and asylum seekers through the Refugee Registration Document Programme (DPP).
He said the implementation of the DPP aims to enable the government to have more comprehensive and organised data regarding the presence of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.
“Any decisions relating to the management of these refugees are subject to policies determined by MKN through the Cabinet Committee on Refugees and Asylum Seekers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zakaria said JIM remains committed to carrying out its immigration enforcement responsibilities firmly, in accordance with the law and established government policies.
MalaysiaGazette