UNHCR offices to shut, pending govt takeover: Abd Latiff

KUALA LUMPUR – The presence of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices is seen to be the biggest pulling factor towards the increased arrival of foreign migrants, who then acquired refugee cards and settled in Malaysia, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Duties) Datuk Abd Latiff Ahmad.

As such, Latiff said that UNHCR offices in the country will cease their respective operations pending a takeover by the government in handling refugees entering the country.

In a parliamentary written reply, yesterday, Latiff said the government’s reasoning behind the closures was to manage refugee and asylum-seeking issues with more efficiency in accordance with National Security Council Order No. 23. 

The orders pertain to revamping processes with emphasis towards reinforcing the determination of refugee status executed by the government, establishing a committee at the highest level of administration, and coordinating a social support system for refugees and asylum seekers.

“UNHCR offices in Malaysia were supposed to manage refugees’ relocations to third-world countries or their countries of origin, but the presence of migrants has increased and relocation rates have been really low.

“The presence of UNHCR offices has become a factor that attracts the entrance of migrants to receive a refugee card and reside in the country. 

“In relation to that, the government has taken the initiative to improve policies and existing legislation to ensure that it could play a bigger role regarding this issue,” he added.

The minister’s reply was in response to a question by Charles Santiago (Klang-PH), who asked for explanation regarding the ministry’s statement stating the closure of UNHCR offices and having their responsibilities of managing refugees taken over by the government. 

Santiago also asked about the steps that the government will take to ensure the takeover is implemented according to international laws, while ensuring that the refugees’ basic needs are met.

The ministry, in its reply, said that the transition will be executed with prudence and due diligence, on top of ensuring that government agencies are truly prepared to take over UNHCR’s roles, and thus removing the need for the agency’s office in Malaysia.

“UNHCR offices in Thailand or Indonesia can play the roles needed by the agency regarding refugees in Malaysia.

“The government will ensure that all parties, including UNHCR Malaysia, cooperate in ensuring that Malaysia has policies and legislations on refugee management and asylum seeking that is clear, uniform, and systematic, without having attachments with any international instruments,” he added. – The Vibes, October 7, 2022