2nd phase of refugee registration programme to begin soon

 Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the government is also studying whether movement restrictions should be imposed on these groups.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the National Security Council was working with relevant ministries and agencies to gather feedback and formulate appropriate measures to address refugee-related issues.

PETALING JAYA:

The government is expected to begin the second phase of its refugee registration document (DPP) programme soon, targeting United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders who are not held at immigration detention depots.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the programme to register Myanmar refugees nationwide was still in its first phase, covering those held at immigration detention depots.

“The government is also studying whether movement restrictions should be imposed on these refugee groups, while taking into account national security and sovereignty as well as human rights,” he said in a written parliamentary reply published on the Parliament website.

He was responding to Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading), who asked about the status of a comprehensive refugee management plan being prepared for Cabinet approval and a proposal to table the policy framework in the Dewan Rakyat.

Zahid said the National Security Council (MKN) was working with relevant ministries and agencies to gather feedback and formulate appropriate measures to address refugee-related issues.

In a separate reply to Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), he said refugees had entered Malaysia through syndicates operating along land and sea borders rather than through authorised or gazetted international entry points.

He said the government was also stepping up efforts to strengthen MKN Directive No. 23 on the Policy and Mechanism for the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (2023 revision).

Coordinated operations involving security agencies, enforcement bodies and local authorities were also being carried out to tackle offences by foreign migrants, including gang-related activities.

“The implementation of the DPP for registration purposes, together with integrated operations by security and enforcement agencies, is expected to help curb negative influences seeking to manipulate existing communities,” he said.

Zahid was responding to Shahidan’s question on measures to address the entry of Myanmar refugees allegedly involved in gang-related activities, particularly at the Selayang market, and prevent exploitation of the community. - FMT