Kuala lumpur: Malaysia must strengthen its existing refugee management framework to ensure humanitarian responsibilities are balanced with national security and sovereignty amid the worsening global refugee crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. He noted the necessity of this move as the world faces an increasingly complex refugee crisis, with more than 122 million people forcibly displaced by conflict and global instability.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that each country, including Malaysia, needs clear policies and management mechanisms that balance humanitarian responsibilities with the need to safeguard national security and sovereignty. "I believe refugee management is not merely an administrative matter. It is also about protecting national security, preserving public order, and ensuring every decision is guided by the interests of the people and Malaysia's sovereignty," he stated in a Facebook post.

The remarks were made after he chaired the 6th Meeting of the High-Level Committee on the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, which reviewed the implementation of policies and management mechanisms to ensure Malaysia's refugee framework remains systematic and aligned with national interests. Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, mentioned that the meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) and discussed streamlining guidelines on access to education and healthcare to ensure they are better coordinated, legally compliant, and easier for relevant agencies to administer.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, in his Facebook post, highlighted that refugee management has become an increasingly complex cross-border issue that requires a clear, structured, and forward-looking approach. Ramanan, who also attended the meeting, pointed out that the issue extends beyond humanitarian concerns and has long-term implications for governance, inter-agency coordination, and national well-being.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail underscored that the Home Ministry (KDN) continues to approach refugee and asylum seeker issues from multiple perspectives, with national security remaining a key consideration. In a Facebook post, he acknowledged the humanitarian dimensions of the issue while stressing that safeguarding national security, public order, and the country's sovereignty remains the overriding priority. Saifuddin emphasized that any approach adopted must be clear, structured, and capable of being implemented effectively by all relevant parties.