No more UNHCR card for walk-in applicants - Shahidan

The cabinet today decided to stop the issuance of refugee identification card to walk-in applicants by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said the decision came after a cabinet paper was presented by the National Security Council (NSC) today to prevent UNHCR card holders from piling up in the country which could threaten national security and create social problems.

"I have met (UNHCR Malaysia) many times to stop issuing UNHCR cards (for those who) walk-in. This is Malaysia.

"How can an UNHCR card be issued without the knowledge of the Immigration Department and police who will determine the status of applicants," he told reporters after attending a Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2016 gathering organised by the Prime Minister's Department here today.

Shahidan said he would inform the UNHCR representative in Malaysia about the decision.

Thus, he said, an UNHCR card can only be issued to individuals detained at the immigration detention depot or after obtaining approval from the Home Ministry.

"The pile up of UNHCR card holders in this country is alarming. We found out that there are criminals who escaped to Malaysia to get the card. In addition, those who are not political asylum seekers and not mistreated in their country of origin are also given UNHCR cards.

"The Rohingya are the ones who are mistreated and killed but other people get the cards. We also found that UNHCR card holders from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand had escaped to this country," he said.

According to Shahidan, last week the cabinet had instructed a high-level committee to be formed to solve the matter.

On claims that UNHCR cards were sold in Jalan Chow Kit, Shahidan urged those with information to inform the authorities so that stern action can be taken.

"We are serious. We will arrest those who issue fake UNHCR cards," he said.

It was reported that about 154,140 refugees and political asylum seekers were registered with the UNCHR in Malaysia as of April.

Of the number, UNHCR representative to Malaysia Richard Towie said a total of 139,780 refugees and political asylum seekers were from Myanmar while the remainder were from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Palestine.