Home Ministry more cautious when issuing special cards to UNHCR cardholders

The Home Ministry will be extra cautious when issuing special cards to United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) following the organisation's refusal to provide accurate information on the actual number of refugees in the country.

Home Ministry Deputy Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said this measure was taken to ensure the safety of the people of this country from any form of threats.

Following that, he said, the ministry was using the proof-of-concept (POC) screening method to check on the background of refugees before issuing them the special cards.

"The special cards will be issued by the ministry for the authorities to facilitate background checks on UNHCR card holders," he said after a ceremony to rename Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kempas to SMK Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat here Saturday.

Nur Jazlan said the ministry was identifying the actual number of UNHCR card holders because there has been an increase in refugees to the country and irresponsible parties might take advantage of the situation.

He said it was estimated that about 160,000 UNHCR card holders have entered the country but the figure did not match with the number living in the country. - BERNAMA