Govt seeks stronger refugee management framework to balance humanitarian duties, national security

PUTRAJAYA is strengthening its refugee management framework to ensure humanitarian obligations are balanced with national security and the protection of national sovereignty amid an increasingly severe global displacement crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

Chairing the sixth meeting of the High-Level Committee on the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Zahid said the international refugee situation had reached unprecedented levels, requiring countries to adopt clear and effective policies to manage those seeking protection.

He noted that more than 122 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced by conflict and global instability, underscoring the urgency for Malaysia to maintain a comprehensive and well-coordinated refugee management system.

“This situation requires every country, including Malaysia, to have clear policies and management mechanisms that balance humanitarian responsibilities with the need to safeguard national security and sovereignty.

“I believe refugee management is not merely an administrative matter.

“It is also about protecting national security, preserving public order and ensuring every decision is guided by the interests of the people and Malaysia’s sovereignty,” he said in a Facebook post following the meeting.

Zahid said the committee also reviewed progress on implementing the Refugee Registration Document, a key initiative aimed at improving the administration of refugees and asylum seekers in the country.

The meeting further discussed efforts to streamline guidelines governing refugees' access to education and healthcare, with a focus on improving inter-agency coordination, ensuring compliance with existing laws and making administrative processes more efficient for the authorities involved.

He said the measures form part of the government's broader efforts to develop a more structured, effective and legally compliant approach to managing refugees and asylum seekers while protecting Malaysia's national interests. - July 1, 2026