More than 150,000 refugees, asylum seekers in Malaysia

A total of 150, 204 refugees and asylum seekers from 59 countries are registered with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) were recorded in this country since last May 31.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said, 94,361 from the total are refugees whereas the balance 55, 843 are asylum seekers.

He said Myanmar has the largest number with 133, 725 people. The other countries involved are Pakistan (3,548), Sri Lanka (2,328), Yemen (2,095), Somalia (2,062), Syria (1,980), Iraq (1,461), Afghanistan (1,082), Palestine (698) and Iran (440).

He said the government recently allowed the UNHCR cardholders among the Rohingnya ethnic group to work in manufacturing and plantation sectors for three years period, beginning March 1.

“The government also allowed their children to get an education access in private schools or education centres provided by the non-government organizations,” he said.

He said this in reply to Lim Lip Eng's (DAP-Segambut) questions on the number of current refugee applications approved in Malaysia according to their country of origin and gender at Dewan Rakyat, today.