2nd phase of refugee registration programme to begin soon
Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the government is also studying whether movement restrictions should be imposed on these groups.
The government of Malaysia is poised to commence the second phase of its refugee registration document (DPP) programme, with a focus on United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders who are not currently in immigration detention facilities. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi disclosed that the National Security Council is collaborating with various ministries and agencies to gather input and devise suitable measures to tackle refugee-related concerns.
The initial phase of the programme has been limited to those detained in immigration detention depots, which Zahid emphasized is still ongoing. He further highlighted the government's contemplation of potential movement restrictions for refugee groups, balancing national security, sovereignty, and human rights considerations. In response to Aminolhuda Hassan's inquiry, Zahid confirmed the development of a comprehensive refugee management plan, currently under review for Cabinet approval.
Additionally, Zahid revealed that refugees predominantly enter Malaysia via syndicates operating along land and sea borders, as opposed to authorized entry points. To counteract this, the government is intensifying efforts to reinforce Directive No. 23 on the Policy and Mechanism for the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (2023 revision).
The implementation of the DPP, coupled with joint operations by security agencies, enforcement bodies, and local authorities, is anticipated to mitigate the adverse effects stemming from manipulated communities.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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