Specific laws needed to address refugee issues, says Sabah MP
Wilfred Madius Tangau says refugee management now hinges on government directives and wide discretionary powers, which could lead to mismanagement, abuse of power, and a lack of coordination.
A Malaysian politician has urged the government to create specific laws to manage refugee issues, citing concerns over potential mismanagement and lack of coordination. Wilfred Madius Tangau, an MP representing the GRS-Tuaran constituency, made the call during a parliamentary debate on a select committee report about refugee management in Malaysia.
Tangau stressed that without a dedicated legal framework, refugee management relies on government directives and extensive discretionary powers, which could result in abuse and inefficiencies. He pointed to Malaysia's experiences managing Vietnamese, Filipino, and Rohingya refugees as examples to be learned from before deciding on the future of the refugee registration system, which was launched in January to replace the UNHCR registration.
Tangau also highlighted the need for a clear exit policy for temporary refugee housing, warning that without one, the issue could persist for generations among Filipino refugees in Sabah. He likened the new system to the long-standing IMM13 document, which has been issued to Filipino migrants with refugee status since the 1970s.
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- Specific laws needed to address refugee issues, says Sabah MP freemalaysiatoday.com
