Why is UNHCR still registering refugees, asks Radzi

Putrajaya MP Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) has questioned why the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) continues to register refugees despite a Cabinet directive to suspend such actions. The government had ordered a halt to UNHCR's operations in July while simultaneously developing its own refugee registration system.

However, Radzi pointed out that a reply from the National Security Council indicated UNHCR was still processing a backlog of applications. "Who is responsible for this nation? The Cabinet has decided that UNHCR must cease registering new refugees," Radzi stated during the committee-stage debate on the foreign ministry's allocation in the Dewan Rakyat.

An image circulating on social media purportedly showing a UNHCR registration card dated October 29 further bolstered his argument. Moreover, Radzi highlighted that the UN agency's online registration portal remained accessible. He urged the government to take action, warning that a delay could prompt syndicates to bring in more refugees.

Lukanisman Awang Sauni, the deputy foreign minister, admitted that the monitoring of UNHCR's registration activities might not be stringent enough. He explained that the government was still finalizing its own refugee registration document system, which had only registered approximately 147 refugees since January due to staff shortages.

Lukanisman emphasized that the government must address the outstanding applications on UNHCR's list and prevent any errors or misuse of the registration process. He also noted that Malaysia was urging UNHCR to expedite the resettlement of refugees in third countries, although fewer nations were accepting them. Nevertheless, Radzi maintained that the government should adopt a more decisive approach, emphasizing that UNHCR should not be permitted to ignore the Cabinet's decision.