THE government will continue to pursue a balanced approach to refugee management, resisting growing public pressure for mass deportations while ensuring that national security remains paramount, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
Addressing the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly, Saifuddin acknowledged increasing public concern over the presence of refugees in Malaysia but stressed that policymaking could not be dictated by emotion or popular sentiment alone.
“I am aware that public sentiment is increasingly rising on refugee management. On social media, the message is largely the same.
“The general view is for refugees to be deported or turned away. However, as a government, we cannot act based on emotion. We must consider the broader context and balance national security with humanitarian values,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing debate over refugee policy, particularly involving the Rohingya community, and follow the emergence of a public petition calling for refugees to be repatriated or relocated to third countries.
Saifuddin emphasised that the government’s responsibility extends beyond responding to public pressure and requires careful consideration of Malaysia’s security interests, international obligations and humanitarian principles.
Rejecting allegations that authorities were indiscriminately issuing identity documents to refugees, he described such claims as misleading and lacking any factual basis.
“There are accusations suggesting the government is carelessly giving identities to refugees, as if we have no laws or system in place... as though this is a ‘cowboy country’. That is not true, and we will not compromise on security,” he said.
The minister stressed that the Home Ministry’s handling of refugee matters is guided by strict security considerations and legal frameworks, while also taking into account the welfare of vulnerable individuals seeking protection.
“We cannot avoid managing this issue. It must be handled wisely and humanely, while still safeguarding the country’s security, the people’s interests, and our international standing,” he added.
The issue has gained renewed prominence following reports that an online petition advocating the repatriation of Rohingya refugees or their resettlement in third countries had attracted more than 195,000 signatures as of Thursday.
The petition, launched on May 29 by the Aku Anak Malaysia platform, is targeting one million signatures and calls for alternative solutions to address the continued arrival of refugees in Malaysia.
Saifuddin’s remarks signal that the government is unlikely to embrace calls for sweeping expulsions, instead maintaining a policy framework that seeks to reconcile public concerns over security and resources with Malaysia’s humanitarian responsibilities and international reputation. - June 8, 2026
