GOVT UNDERTAKING PRE-IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES FOR REFUGEE MANAGEMENT POLICY - SHAMSUL ANUAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- The government is undertaking pre-implementation measures for the Refugee Management Policy (DPP), including the development of systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and infrastructure needed for determining refugee status.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the preparations were in line with National Security Council (MKN) Directive No. 23, which sets out a new mechanism for refugee management in accordance with the country’s law.

He said the actions currently underway included testing the refugee registration and asylum application system developed with MIMOS Berhad, establishing a refugee and asylum seeker isolation centre in Bidor, Perak, and finalising the SOP for refugee status determination, along with amendments to the Immigration Regulations 1963.

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“This directive also states that all refugees in the country, whether they hold UNHCR cards or not, must undergo the status determination process conducted by the government,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Wong Chen (PH-Subang) on the exact timeline and implementation plan for expanding the DPP to provide registered refugees with access to education and healthcare through non-governmental organisations or private institutions.

Shamsul Anuar said that under the new mechanism, refugee status would be verified solely through the Refugee Registration Document, with biometric data entered into the government system for monitoring and enforcement purposes.

He said MKN Directive No. 23 (Revised 2023) also outlines the roles of 20 ministries and agencies, including ensuring access to education, healthcare, social protection and employment opportunities for holders of refugee documents.

-- BERNAMA