JOHOR BAHRU, June 13 — The low rate of third-country resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is among the factors contributing to the prolonged presence of refugees, including the Rohingya, within local communities.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that while UNHCR has two core responsibilities — registering refugees and securing third-country resettlement — statistics show that the number of refugee cards issued by the agency far exceeds the number of individuals successfully resettled abroad.
He said the imbalance has resulted in Malaysia having to deal with the issue, including the presence of Rohingya refugees, who continue to live alongside local communities while awaiting uncertain resettlement opportunities.
"The number of successful third-country placements is far lower than the number of UNHCR cards issued by the agency itself. As a result, while waiting to be resettled, these refugees remain within local communities,” he said.
He said this in response to the issue of the ‘Kempen Tangkap Rohingya’ (Catch Rohingya Campaign) circulating on social media, after attending the Drug-Free Aspirations Tour (JABD) 2026 programme here.
Commenting on the campaign and calls by netizens for firm action against the group, he said the public has a right to voice their views as the issue has a direct impact on the country's economic, security and social landscape.
However, he said refugees' status differs from undocumented migrants, who can be dealt with directly under the Immigration Act.
Refugees, on the other hand, are driven from their home countries by conflict and other push factors.
To address the security implications arising from the situation, he said the government is currently undertaking its own data collection exercise and no longer relies entirely on UNHCR.
“Once we have our own data, we can take enforcement action should any of them violate the country’s laws. They remain subject to domestic laws and firm action will be taken against those who breach them."
