Malaysia

Issuance of UNHCR card to Rohingya refugees to be reviewed: Hamzah

Study must be done following escape of detainees from Sg Bakap detention centre, says home minister

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 23 Apr 2022 3:39PM

Issuance of UNHCR card to Rohingya refugees to be reviewed: Hamzah
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin says having a UNHCR card does not mean the card holder can live in and enter Malaysia as they like. – The Vibes file pic, April 23, 2022

LARUT – The government will review the issuance of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards to Rohingya refugees in the country, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

He said the study had to be done following the escape of hundreds of Rohingya detainees from the Sg Bakap Immigration Detention Depot near Bandar Baharu on Wednesday.

“We cannot provide space for them to easily enter the country without documents and immediately get UNHCR cards. It’s something that’s not right... that’s why we take a firm stance, being a card holder doesn’t mean they can live in our country and enter as they like,” he said.

He spoke to reporters after handing over donations to 1,000 underprivileged people from Larut parliamentary constituency at Dewan Astaka Batu Kurau here today.

In the 4.30am incident on Wednesday, 528 Rohingya detainees escaped from the depot following a riot.

During the escape, six detainees, including two children, were killed on the southbound side of the North-South Expressway while trying to cross the highway near Jawi. – Bernama, April 23, 2022

Related News

Malaysia / 4w

Malaysia will not send any refugees back if lives are in danger - Fahmi

Malaysia / 1mth

Former MP questions plan to ‘send home’ 5,000 Rohingya refugees

Malaysia / 1mth

Penang calls on UNHCR to ensure welfare of Rohingya community

Malaysia / 2mth

When ‘safety’ becomes a cover for xenophobia

Malaysia / 2mth

Foreign worker issues to come under Cabinet review next week as government seeks sector-wide solutions

Malaysia / 2mth

Malaysia, Bangladesh seek solution to Rohingya ethnic issue through ASEAN

Spotlight

Malaysia

Puteri Umno distances itself from viral Threads post

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

MACC drops orange detention attire for court remand cases after PM’s call

World

Man jailed six years for keeping Indonesian woman as slave in Melbourne home

Malaysia

Emergency declared in Serian as haze reaches hazardous levels (UPDATED)

Malaysia

Haze in Serian enters emergency phase

Malaysia

Death sentence for deaf, mute man who killed family of four upheld

Malaysia

Retired army officer with Datuk title charged with alleged sexual assault of golf caddie

Heritage

Penang first state to recognise Hungry Ghost Festival, cemeteries as heritage

You may be interested

Malaysia

Woman dies after alleged assault, boyfriend held in Penampang

Malaysia

‘I will quit if Zahid asks me to, not anyone else’ - Asyraf Wajdi

Malaysia

Death sentence for deaf, mute man who killed family of four upheld

Malaysia

Indian community will never be marginalised in development agenda – PM Anwar

Malaysia

Bersatu, Muda leaders hold talks amid uncertainty over PN

Malaysia

PM demands government discipline as public funds face greater scrutiny

Malaysia

Probe into tanker-ferry collision to focus on radar, navigational systems

By Ian McIntyre

Malaysia

Country used as transit hub for RM42.8m international drug haul