Kuala Lumpur:The government has been urged to establish a sustainable financing mechanism, including a health insurance scheme, to alleviate the financial strain on Malaysia's national healthcare system caused by the use of public healthcare facilities by refugees and foreign nationals.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform Select Committee chairman William Leong Jee Keen (PH-Selayang) highlighted the issue, noting that the growing number of refugees is impacting the public healthcare system, particularly regarding unpaid medical treatment costs.
Leong emphasized the need for a sustainable financing approach, incorporating insurance mechanisms, cost-sharing, and a continuous financing framework to lessen the government's financial burden. This approach aims to protect public health while ensuring Malaysians maintain access to quality healthcare services.
During the debate on the committee's report on refugee management in Malaysia, which involved 14 Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat, Leong explained that the findings were based on presentations and hearings with various agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Human Resources, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Social Services and Community Development Organisation.
The committee also recommended accelerating the implementation of the Refugee Registration Document under the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide a more systematic and centralized data registration system. Additionally, the lack of legal employment opportunities for refugees was highlighted, which often forces them into the informal sector, increasing the risk of labor exploitation and impacting local communities.
Leong noted that the Ministry of Human Resources proposed a mechanism for refugees with registration documents to access employment, suggesting a staged implementation with monitoring to prevent adverse effects on local employment and deter illegal entry of new refugees.
He also stressed the importance of strict border controls, action against human smuggling syndicates, and cooperation with UNHCR to address refugee issues through information sharing, data management, and capacity building.
Finally, Leong recommended that refugee management be coordinated by the National Security Council to ensure cohesive and effective management across ministries. The committee's recommendations aim to enhance existing management mechanisms, focusing on national interests without altering the country's refugee policy.