ADUN SPEAKS | Govt taking right step in recognising UNHCR

ADUN SPEAKS | I welcome the idea of Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in wanting to have an agreement with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) to manage the problem of refugees in the country.

As it is, there are 185,760 refugees with UNHCR card holders in Malaysia. More than 80 percent are from Myanmar, mostly the Rohingyas.

Under the last government, there was an attempt to question the role of the agency and whether it was needed in the country.

It was argued by a top civil servant from the Home Ministry that Malaysia was in a position to manage the refugees without the need for the presence of UNHCR.

In fact, despite its unenviable role, it was subject to criticism that it was acting without consulting the government in power.

It was questioned about issuing refugee cards without consultation with the government or the Home Ministry.

It was questioned whether it should play a role in managing the refugees in the country.

It was unbelievable that the former government could even question the relevance of the UNHCR in the country.

Economic and real refugees

It has great difficulty in issuing cards so that the refugees could stay in the country temporarily without being harassed by the authorities or even expelled.

Differentiating between economic and real refugees possess problems for the UN agency.

Zahid has taken the right step at least in recognising the presence and role of the UNCHR in the management of refugees.

Hopefully, this informal or formal working relationship will lead to its recognition in the country as a legitimate and responsible UN organisation.

Unlike other civil society organisations that focus on refugees, UNHCR is a capable and responsible organisation that has the global mandate to manage and make lives meaningful for refugees not just in Malaysia but the world over.

I am glad that the unity government is finally recognising the role of the UNHCR which is something long overdue.

It is certainly the right move to embolden the UNHCR to assist the government in managing refugees in meaningful ways.

P RAMASAMY is the Perai assemblyperson and Penang deputy chief minister II.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.