Govt need to check background of refugees before registering them - MHO

Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) advisor Tan Sri Musa Hassan said the organisation believe there are two categories of refugees - either they are forced to flee their country by force or migration for economic purposes.

"Those who migrate due to economic reasons claim they are refugees but actually they come here seeking better prospect," he told reporters in Sungai Besi, here today.

Musa who is also the Chairman of the Malaysian Community Crime Care Association (MCCC) said refugees seeking to be registered here must undergo a background check before they can be considered for registration.

The former top cop who welcomed the initiative by the Home Ministry to collect data related to refugees said carrying out a thorough screening process before registration will help identify the location of such refugees if they are involved in any criminal activities or if they breach the law.

In May, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had said the ministry was gathering data of refugess, like their age, gender and country of origin.