Pahang Sultan calls for tighter border controls, better refugee management

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, has called for tighter border controls and enhanced refugee management to safeguard the nation's security and sovereignty. He called for a comprehensive evaluation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) operations in Malaysia, suggesting the possibility of terminating its activities if it fails to meet the country's needs and interests.

The Sultan emphasized the importance of addressing the growing presence of foreigners, especially unmanaged refugees, as they may pose various challenges related to security, social well-being, cleanliness, and public order. He noted that the UNHCR's role should alleviate the country's burden, instead of burdening the government and local people.

The Sultan stressed that humanitarian considerations should not be used to disregard the country's sovereignty and that protection should not undermine the priority of national laws. He reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to being a compassionate nation while maintaining its sovereignty and security. The Sultan expressed his appreciation for the Pahang state government's achievement of RM1 billion in revenue collection, a milestone achieved for the fifth consecutive year.

He highlighted the administration's success in efficient management, effective compliance, and curbing revenue leakages. However, the Sultan cautioned that a government's success should be measured by its capacity to translate financial achievements into positive changes in people's lives, such as improved employment opportunities, higher incomes, quality infrastructure, and overall well-being for all segments of society.