PAS MP calls for humane approach to Rohingya refugees amid calls for tighter controls

PAS lawmaker Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman endorsed government plans for a standardised digital identification system equipped with biometric tracking, background security checks, transparent status determination and inter-agency audit checks. — File picture by Sayuti Zainudin

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

First Published: Monday, 05 Oct 2026 4:42 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — PAS lawmaker Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman today called on the government to strike a balance in managing Rohingya refugees, saying a strict immigration policy must also be humane.

“We must protect national security, control our borders, and maintain strong registration systems, but in doing so, we cannot lose our humanity and sense of justice,” Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman said when addressing the House during a debate on refugee management.

Focusing on the conflict in neighbouring Myanmar as the primary driver of displacement into Malaysia, Ahmad Tarmizi urged Asean to step up diplomatic pressure for a political resolution.

“Refugee flows will not end as long as the causes driving people from their homes remain unresolved,” he said, calling for an end to violence against civilians, particularly in Rakhine State, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid and inclusive political dialogue.

To address operational issues, Ahmad Tarmizi endorsed government plans for a standardised digital identification system equipped with biometric tracking, background security checks, transparent status determination and inter-agency audit checks.

Such a system, he said, would properly distinguish genuine refugees from economic migrants, undocumented immigrants and victims of human trafficking.

“Refugees are not necessarily illegal immigrants, and victims of human trafficking must not be treated as criminals,” he said, warning against rising hate speech and xenophobia on social media while stressing that human rights protections do not grant non-citizens immunity from local laws.

Ahmad Tarmizi also voiced opposition to any potential government move to invite Myanmar’s military junta leader to diplomatic talks, citing an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant application against the junta chief.

“Inviting the junta chief would violate our principles and inflict severe diplomatic damage on Malaysia’s global standing,” he said.

Xenophobia, hate speech must stop

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said 214,079 refugees and asylum seekers were registered in Malaysia as of December 2025, alongside more than 90,000 individuals detained in enforcement operations in 2025.

Ahmad Tarmizi said the Rohingya community in Malaysia had faced intense xenophobic attacks in recent months, which he attributed to what he described as the government’s failure to manage the refugee issue effectively and counter hateful propaganda.

“Do not allow hate speech and xenophobia to dominate society. While I also want to place very critical emphasis on this issue of refugee management, specifically regarding extreme hatred, hate speech and xenophobia, which are increasingly easy for certain quarters to exploit, particularly through social media,” he said.

“However, I emphasise that upholding humanitarian principles does not mean defending every action of individual refugees,” he added.

“If a refugee commits a crime, breaks the law, disturbs public order, engages in violence, exploits others, or commits any offense, they must face Malaysian law.”