{
  "id": 14835089,
  "title": "How will jobless refugees pay for insurance, govt asked",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/how-will-jobless-refugees-pay-for-insurance-govt-asked",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T00:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/16/how-will-jobless-refugees-pay-for-insurance-govt-asked"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An NGO advocating for migrants and refugees has criticised the Malaysian government's plan to make health insurance contributions mandatory for refugees and asylum seekers. Tenaganita's Glorene Das argues that the proposal is unrealistic and inequitable, as refugees are not legally allowed to work in Malaysia and often rely on irregular incomes. Even the existing Refugee Medical Insurance (Remedi) scheme, which costs around RM183.60 per year, is too expensive for many refugees. Das suggests that the government should first evaluate current mechanisms, address affordability and coverage gaps, and explore ways to strengthen such schemes. A more sustainable approach would be to grant refugees the legal right to work in Malaysia, allowing them to afford healthcare while contributing to the local economy. Health Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib proposed making health insurance contributions compulsory for registered refugees and asylum seekers, but the Deputy Health Minister emphasized that the proposal should only apply to those registered under Malaysia's refugee registration system. The health think tank Galen Centre's Azrul Khalib warns that the proposal's success hinges on ensuring that insurance premiums translate into actual coverage, citing ongoing issues with migrant workers' insurance in Malaysia.",
  "summary": "Tenaganita says the government cannot deny refugees basic rights while expecting them to fulfil financial obligations like mandatory insurance contributions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "How will jobless refugees pay for insurance, govt asked",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/how-will-jobless-refugees-pay-for-insurance-govt-asked-14836655",
        "published": "2026-10-16T00:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}