MPs urge Home Ministry to take over refugee registration

Members of Malaysia's Parliament, both from government and opposition parties, have called for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to relinquish its role in registering refugees within the country. Lawmaker RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) advocated for the Home Ministry to assume full responsibility for refugee registration, coupled with an all-encompassing nationwide surveillance system to track their movements.

He disclosed that the number of refugees has surged to 220,000 during a debate on refugee management at the Dewan Rakyat today. Rayer expressed gratitude for Malaysians' tolerance and kindness towards those fleeing hardship in their home nations. However, he also pointed out recent incidents, such as the Wang Kelian tragedy, where refugees were smuggled into the country via illegitimate channels, often falling prey to human trafficking or being unlawfully buried along the border.

Meanwhile, Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) suggested that the government cease accepting new refugee registrations and treat those currently residing in the country without valid permits as illegal immigrants. Jidin also advocated for a review of UNHCR's role in Malaysia, questioning the extent of its authority in accrediting individuals as refugees.

He raised concerns about the transparency of refugee registrations carried out by UNHCR and the possibility of syndicates circumventing the process by registering illegal immigrants as refugees. Jidin questioned the origins of UNHCR's extensive authority, asking who granted the organization such broad discretion. He also inquired about the duration of time UNHCR should retain the power to determine refugee eligibility.

If UNHCR is granted unrestricted authority, Jidin warned, Malaysia could face a potential influx of refugees.