Kuala lumpur: The government has instructed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to temporarily cease all refugee registrations to facilitate the restructuring of the management system through the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme. This directive was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni, following a Cabinet decision aimed at ensuring a more orderly management and registration process for refugees within Malaysia, under government supervision.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Lukanisman explained that the decision requires UNHCR to halt refugee registrations temporarily as the government reorganizes the DPP programme's implementation. The DPP allows for better management of refugee data, including coordination, identity verification, monitoring, and regulation, reducing reliance on records maintained by foreign entities. Lukanisman addressed these points while responding to a supplementary question from Senator Hussin Ismail in the Dewan Negara.
Senator Hussin had sought clarification on the government's strategy to address issues faced by Rohingya refugees who lack identity documents or citizenship recognized by their home country, Myanmar. Lukanisman emphasized that the DPP registration will follow a stringent process, working with various enforcement agencies to ensure that only those eligible are registered, thereby preventing future illegal immigration.
Moreover, Lukanisman mentioned Malaysia's continued multilateral approach with Myanmar and ASEAN member countries to address the Rohingya refugee crisis more effectively. He highlighted the importance of this step to prevent Malaysia from bearing the ongoing burden of refugee management, especially since the country is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, while also considering the impact on local communities.
In a related development, Lukanisman announced plans to repatriate approximately 5,000 Myanmar nationals currently held in immigration detention depots. He stated that these individuals would be returned to Myanmar using naval ships, contingent on the resolution process and the readiness of Myanmar's government to receive them back.