How will jobless refugees pay for insurance, govt asked

An NGO has criticized the Malaysian government's proposal to make health insurance mandatory for refugees and asylum seekers, deeming it both unrealistic and unfair. Tenaganita's Glorene Das pointed out that refugees are not legally allowed to work in Malaysia, leading them to rely on irregular incomes and often unable to meet their basic needs.

Das highlighted the Refugee Medical Insurance (Remedi) scheme, which costs around RM183.60 annually, but emphasized that this is still too expensive for refugees. She argued that forcing compulsory insurance on people who cannot legally earn income is contradictory to granting basic rights. Instead, Das suggested the government should first evaluate existing schemes like Remedi, identify gaps in affordability and coverage, and work towards strengthening these schemes.

She also proposed granting refugees the legal right to work, allowing them to afford healthcare while contributing to the local economy. The health ministry recently proposed making health insurance contributions mandatory for registered refugees and asylum seekers, under the government's refugee registration system, to help cover treatment costs and prevent medical bill arrears.

Deputy health minister Hanifah Hajar Taib stated that this should apply to refugees and asylum seekers registered under the system, known as DPP. Hanifah mentioned that over 80% of outstanding medical bills involve undocumented migrants and stateless persons. However, a health think tank warned that the proposal must ensure medical coverage for the community, as migrant workers already face challenges with unsettled bills despite being required to have medical insurance.

Galen Centre CEO Azrul Khalib expressed concerns about how premiums from such a scheme would be utilized, fearing that funds might not effectively translate into actual health coverage.