The proposed closure of the UN High Commission for Refugees’ (UNHCR) office in Malaysia should be discussed in Parliament first before being implemented, a DAP leader said today.
In a statement, Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai reminded National Security Council (NSC) director-general Rodzi Md Saad that Malaysia was still a member of the United Nations' Human Rights Council for the 2022-2024 term.
As such, Malaysia has a moral obligation to prioritise human rights issues – locally and in the region.
"I urge the foreign minister to issue a statement in the parliamentary sitting, commencing on Oct 3, regarding NSC's suggestion as closing a UN agency like the UNHCR unilaterally would impact our country’s diplomatic ties and affect our image.
"The Parliament should be used to debate issues regarding refugees so that an amicable solution can be found," said Wong.
Yesterday, Rodzi was reported as saying the government should consider closing down the UNHCR office in Malaysia.
He added that local authorities can better manage the refugee situation without foreign interference.
However, Rodzi clarified that it would not happen soon as local agencies need further improvements.
On that note, Wong said the government cannot arbitrarily close a UN agency without negotiations, especially at a time when the number of refugees in the country is still high.
According to reports, there are more than 184,000 UN-registered refugees and asylum seekers in the country.
"If the number of refugees in Malaysia dipped to a minimal level, maybe that would justify UNHCR operating from its regional headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.
"But UNHCR has offices in 134 countries worldwide. In countries that do not have serious refugee problems, the agency helps in humanitarian missions and conducts regional coordination," Wong said.
For the record, Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Local laws also do not distinguish between undocumented economic migrants and asylum seekers.
In July, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin announced that the government had approved the Tracking Refugees Information System (Tris), and that all refugees and asylum seekers must register themselves on the system.
According to the Tris website, it is a platform to gather information on refugees and asylum seekers, while assisting the government to monitor their whereabouts.
Refugees and asylum seekers will be issued a special identity card called MyRC, while information, including biometric identification, will be synchronised with other databases, including by the Immigration Department, police and NSC.
"The main benefit refugees and asylum seekers will get from this scheme is the Government can easily verify their identities using the national database.
“So the risk of being arrested and detained is minimised," the website reads.
Refugee groups like the Alliance of Chin Refugees, however, fear Tris was a "trap" and are concerned over data security, Al Jazeera reported.
Those seeking the MyRC cards need to pay RM50 and wait a month for the cards, or pay RM500 to receive them on the same day.
However, those who opted for the cheaper option were still waiting a month later, the news agency reported.
Tris is managed by private firm Barisan Mahamega, which is mostly owned by Akhil Bulat, the former head of the police intelligence unit, Special Branch, Al Jazeera reported. - Mkini
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