KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 — Malaysia must boost its refugee management framework to ensure humanitarian responsibilities are balanced with national security and sovereignty amid worsening global refugee crises, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
This is needed as the world faces an increasingly complex refugee crisis, with more than 122 million people forcibly displaced by conflict and global instability, he said.
“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 just 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 today after chairing a High-Level Committee on the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers meeting, which reviewed policies and management to ensure Malaysia’s refugee framework is aligned with national interests.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said the committee also reviewed the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) and discussed streamlining guidelines on education and healthcare access to ensure better coordination, legal compliance, and ease of administration.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan in a Facebook post said refugee management has become an increasingly complex cross-border issue that requires a clear, structured and forward-looking approach.
Having also attended the meeting, he said the issue extends beyond humanitarian concerns and has long-term implications for governance, inter-agency coordination, and national well-being.
“During the meeting, we also reviewed several key agenda items to ensure policies are implemented in a more systematic manner, with clearly defined responsibilities for each agency and in accordance with existing laws.
“I am confident that a well-planned, coordinated approach will allow decisions to be implemented more effectively. Any policy introduced must strike a balance between humanitarian responsibilities, the country’s capacity and national interests to safeguard the people’s well-being and Malaysia’s future,” Ramanan said.
