Kuala lumpur: Malaysia should reconsider the presence of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the country if the international body refuses to cooperate in implementing a strict screening process for refugee card applicants, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Hasan stated that the current existence of the UNHCR office is seen as a 'magnet' attracting more refugees, particularly the Rohingya ethnic group, to Malaysia. The Foreign Minister emphasized the need for a mechanism where the screening process is jointly carried out by UNHCR and local authorities before any refugee card is issued.

This issue was also discussed in the Cabinet Committee meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The committee is pushing for the Host Country Agreement to be expedited, setting guidelines and stricter controls on the issuance of UNHCR cards. Mohamad expressed the necessity for cooperation and strict screening, suggesting that if cooperation isn't forthcoming, Malaysia should reconsider UNHCR's presence to alleviate the burden on the country.

The situation gained further attention after reports surfaced of hundreds of ethnic Rohingya camping outside the UNHCR office in Jalan Bukit Petaling, Kuala Lumpur. They were later moved to the Kuala Lumpur police contingent headquarters for documentation and identity verification.

Mohamad also highlighted issues with the refugee card application process, claiming it is too easy, allowing individuals to apply online from their country of origin and obtain the card upon arrival in Malaysia. He pointed out the lack of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the current process, which permits applicants to complete the process online while still in Myanmar, leading to direct issuance of the card upon their arrival in Malaysia. Mohamad stressed the need for proper management and screening to address this problem.