Myanmar refugees with UNHCR cards still subject to immigration law

Malaysia's immigration director-general, Zakaria Shaaban, has warned that employers who hire Myanmar refugees with valid United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards, without proper authorization, may face legal consequences. According to Shaaban, UNHCR cardholders are still considered undocumented migrants if they engage in certain immigration offenses, such as working without a valid pass or permit.

The statement was made in response to media reports suggesting that UNHCR cardholders are outside the jurisdiction of the immigration department and cannot be subjected to immigration action. Shaaban clarified that the only exemptions granted to these refugees are for two specific offenses under the Immigration Act: lacking valid travel documents or passes, and overstaying their permitted stay.

Shaaban emphasized that the exemptions do not extend to other immigration violations, including working without authorization. He further denied that the immigration department had ever stated that Myanmar refugees holding UNHCR cards were not undocumented migrants.

The immigration director-general also addressed the ongoing Refugee Registration Documentation Programme, which is run jointly by the home ministry and the immigration department. This initiative aims to gather comprehensive data on the presence of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, ensuring that the government has accurate information regarding the situation.