Registration of Myanmar refugees: Second phase to start soon

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is expected to launch the second phase of the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme soon, targeting United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders not held at Immigration Detention Depots (DTIs).

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the programme to register Myanmar refugee communities nationwide remained in its first phase, targeting those at Immigration detention depots.

"The government is also studying whether movement controls should be imposed on these groups, while considering national security and sovereignty interests as well as human rights," he said in a written reply posted on the Parliament website.

Zahid said the National Security Council (NSC), Prime Minister's Department, was working closely with relevant ministries and agencies to hold engagement sessions to obtain feedback and formulate appropriate measures to address issues concerning refugees in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, in response to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), Ahmad Zahid said refugees had entered Malaysia through syndicates at land and sea borders rather than through authorised or gazetted International Entry Points.

He said the government was also stepping up efforts to strengthen NSC Directive No. 23 on the Policy and Mechanism for the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (2023 Revision), which the prime minister signed on June 14, 2023.

He said coordinated operations involving security agencies, enforcement bodies and local authorities were also being conducted to tackle violations by foreign migrants, including gang-related activities.

"The implementation of the DPP for registration purposes, together with integrated operations by security and enforcement agencies, is expected to help curb negative influences aimed at manipulating existing communities," he said.

Zahid was replying to Shahidan's question on action taken by the government to tackle the entry of Myanmar refugees allegedly involved in gang-related activities, especially at Selayang Market, and measures to prevent the exploitation of the community.