BUTTERWORTH – The government will come up with a new policy for illegal migrants that makes it clear that they cannot be exempted from local laws on the basis of them being registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin assured that migrants will be treated humanely, and said it is important that they live peacefully with Malaysians and appreciate local sentiments.
“Malaysia does not want migrants to tell us that they are UNHCR cardholders, and no one can do anything to them,” he told reporters after witnessing an immigration operation to weed out illegals in the Taman Sutra residential area in Seberang Jaya today.
I do not want migrants to tell Malaysians this, that our laws are useless (against them). I want them to respect our laws.”
Hamzah said he wants to hold talks with UNHCR to resolve the issue of undocumented migrants.
“We are not inhumane when it comes to handling migrants’ problems. I am a common man, too.
“They accuse me of being inhumane. But I am sympathetic towards the Rohingya’s plight.
How many people know that I visited Rakhine in Myanmar about eight years ago, and I understand (the Rohingya’s) plight more than anyone claiming to champion their cause?”
During the operation earlier today, more than 50 people believed to be Rohingya refugees were held by the Immigration Department for questioning. Hamzah was seen entering one of the flats to chat with occupants.
Investigations showed that most of them are UNHCR cardholders.
When questioned, some of the Rohingya residents said more than 100 families live in several flats in the area.
One Rohingya man told Hamzah that he has been in Malaysia for 30 years, while another said he has been here since 1992.
“We need to come up with a policy for migrants to live in peace and harmony,” said the minister.
“I understand that many have lived in Malaysia for a very long time, and they must understand the sentiments of the local community.”
He said he has met officials from his ministry, Immigration Department, police and National Registration Department on formulating a policy towards this end.
There has been feedback from Malaysians living near migrants, he said, with overcrowding, safety, crime, drugs and health issues being raised.
He said many of these foreigners make up a large number of residents at flats and certain housing areas.
We are going after illegal immigrants who live and work in this beloved country without any documents, not paying tax and levy but reap all the benefits. We are protecting the rights of local people. @KDNPUTRAJAYA @imigresenmy https://t.co/7akk7D7pBa
— Khairul Dzaimee Daud (@Dzaimee) May 30, 2021
Hamzah gave the example of undocumented migrants renting a unit that fits four to five people, but having three or more families occupying the space.
On Saturday, he revealed that the Home Ministry has requested that UNHCR hand over its list of refugees in Malaysia, for the purpose of Covid-19 vaccination.
“If UNHCR can provide us with detailed information, it will facilitate the government’s efforts to achieve herd immunity.”
There are 178,715 UNHCR cardholders in the country, but the authorities do not know where exactly they are located, he said.
He said the ministry has identified for vaccination almost 2.5 million foreigners in Malaysia holding various documents issued by the government or third parties such as UNHCR.
This figure includes those in prison and immigration detainees.
Late last month, Immigration Director-General Datuk Khairul Dzaimee Daud tweeted that the department will go after illegals who do not pay taxes, “but reap all the benefits”.
“We are going after illegal immigrants who live and work in this beloved country without any documents, not paying tax and levy, but reap all the benefits. We are protecting the rights of local people.” – The Vibes, June 15, 2021
