Arya News - Malaysia`s Immigration director-general Zakaria Shaaban said said the management of refugees and asylum seekers in the country was carried out in accordance with government policy.
KUALA LUMPUR – Refugees holding valid United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards remain subject to Malaysia’s immigration laws and can face action for offences other than those specifically exempted, says Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.
The Immigration director-general was clarifying reports on the status of Rohingya nationals holding UNHCR cards following remarks attributed to him.
“I never issued the statement that Rohingya nationals were not illegal immigrants.
“Refugees with valid UNHCR cards remain subject to the Immigration Act 1959/63 and can be taken to task for other immigration offences, including working without a valid pass or permit,” he said in a statement on Monday (Sept 7).
Zakaria said employers who hire refugees holding UNHCR cards without the necessary legal authorisation could also face action.
“However, an exemption applies to two offences under the Immigration Act – not possessing a valid travel document or pass, and overstaying.
“The exemption from these two offences does not mean UNHCR cardholders are exempt from complying with other provisions under the Immigration Act,” he stressed.
Zakaria said the management of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia was carried out in accordance with government policy coordinated through National Security Council Directive No. 23 on the Policy and Mechanism for the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers.
“The policy is also overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Refugees and Asylum Seekers, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“The Home Ministry and Immigration Department have been tasked with registering refugees and asylum seekers in the country through the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme,” he said.
Zakaria said the programme was intended to provide the Government with more comprehensive and systematic data on refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.
“We remain committed to carrying out our immigration enforcement responsibilities firmly and in accordance with the law and government policies,” he said.