KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — The government will implement the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) from January 1 next year, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said.
The initiative was set up to tackle security risks and disorganised data, in line with the National Security Council Order No.23 to replace the existing system managed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), he added.
“Refugee information and biometrics will be stored in the DPP, and those confirmed to be refugees will be issued an official identification document, the sole document recognised by the government,” he said in response to a question by Teresa Kok Suh Sim (Harapan-Seputeh) about the status and government mechanism used to manage the registration and working approvals for refugees in Malaysia during a special chambers session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
The measure will enable the government to have a comprehensive database and its own biometrics to monitor the presence of refugees and manage them in a more effective and orderly fashion, he said.
He explained that the present registration system is unilaterally managed by the UNHCR without involving any government agency, which is a security risk.
“This causes the government to not have any element of control over one’s application as a refugee, their total, and their location in Malaysia. It has also led to cases of disorganised registrations, abuses, and document falsification,” Shamsul Anuar said.
The DPP is being tested to ensure its stability and effectiveness before being launched, he said.
Refugee information will be stored in the government’s biometric system for monitoring purposes till final management — settlement in a third country, repatriation to the country of origin or deportation, should they violate Malaysian law — is conducted, Shamsul Anuar added.
