Malaysia

Home Ministry questions arbitrary provision of UNHCR refugee cards

Minister says several Indonesians found in possession of them during operation conducted by Immigration Dept

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 28 May 2022 12:20PM

Home Ministry questions arbitrary provision of UNHCR refugee cards
Home minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin says an operation conducted by the Immigration Department at Meru Market last night, which saw 704 foreigners inspected and 51 immigrants detained on various offences found several Indonesians in possession of UNHCR refugee cards, which seem to allow them to stay in the country legally. – The Vibes file pic, May 28, 2022

KAPAR – The Home Ministry today questioned the actions of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) of providing refugee identification cards to several Indonesian nationals.

Its minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin said the ministry found several Indonesians in possession of UNHCR refugee cards during enforcement actions conducted by the Malaysian Immigration Department.

“How can UNHCR issue such cards arbitrarily, until those who possess them seem to be able to somehow stay in the country legally,” he said during a media conference after the enforcement operation at Meru Market near here last night.

The operation saw 704 foreigners inspected; 51 immigrants detained on various immigration-related offences.

On the system failure at the Kelana Jaya Immigration Office reported by a news portal yesterday, Hamzah said it not only occurred at the office but immigration offices at other locations as well.

“I want to inform everyone that we actually use this (online) but it’s an old system. So, when an old system is overwhelmed, it will jam slightly. That’s why we have awarded a new company for a system, and they are conducting (the process) and insya-Allah in 2024 it will all be completed, and we can use a better more sophisticated system,” he added. – Bernama, May 28, 2022

Related News

Malaysia / 1mth

Penang calls on UNHCR to ensure welfare of Rohingya community

Malaysia / 2mth

Home Ministry: Synthetic drugs now a major threat; East Coast most affected

Malaysia / 2mth

Pamela Ling’s disappearance, Durian Tunggal shooting, corporate mafia; MP demands answers

Malaysia / 7mth

Rafizi considers seeking NFA for probe on son’s attack

Malaysia / 10mth

Government approved citizenship of 7 heritage players following naturalisation process - Saifuddin

Malaysia / 1y

Home Ministry to clarify Zara Qairina case in Parliament after police handling criticised

Spotlight

Anwar unveils six measures for Malaysians ahead of Merdeka

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Xavier Jayakumar warns racial, religious politics could erode Malaysia’s unity

Malaysia

DOE: Close schools, kindergartens if API tops 200

Malaysia

WhatsApp messages help rescue of two brothers lost in Bukit Putus

Malaysia

King grants audience to Anwar, briefed on Merdeka Day preparations

Opinion

Merdeka: This is our Malaysia – and you will not take it from us

By Vinod Sekhar

World

Covid-19 fears return in South Korea as mask, test kit sales surge

World

91 Malaysians still unaccounted for after Nepal-China floods

You may be interested

Malaysia

Abolish ‘Colonial-era’ Sedition Act - Ramkarpal

Malaysia

Container lorry plunges 20 metres into Gua Musang ravine, driver killed

Malaysia

Cloud seeding operations to begin in Sarawak, Northern Peninsula on Sept 3

Malaysia

Uphold unity in diversity for the sake of future generations – Penang CM

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

PM praised for ‘Medeka Day’ reforms; More needed to cope with rising costs – Guan Eng

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Sarawak haze crisis deepens as five areas hit hazardous air quality

Malaysia

Govt to deploy SMART rescue team to flood-hit Nepal along with US$1m in aid

Malaysia

Loke’s ‘habis madu, sepah dibuang’ post raises eyebrows after Ong quits DAP

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir