Refugees Daily - Internal Global Press Review

KUALA LUMPUR: THE United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is hopeful of turning Malaysia into a "country of destination" for refugees, but Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed is having none of it.

UNHCR representative to Malaysia, Richard Towle, said the more than 150,000 refugees living in the country already viewed Malaysia as a final destination and no longer a transit point.

Towle said this after launching the new UNHCR card and card verification application yesterday, with the aim of giving refugees under its protection here legal standing in the country.

"At the moment, refugees are not allowed to work, and under Malaysian law, their children can't go to mainstream schools."

UNHCR hoped its latest initiative to properly register and manage refugees would soften the Malaysian government's policy that prohibits the group from securing jobs and getting their children a proper education.

This, Towle said, would also provide stability to the lives of the refugees here.

Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and is not bound by international laws to provide refuge, asylum, jobs and education to refugees. It does so out of goodwill and on humanitarian grounds.

In response to UNHCR's hope to make Malaysia a final destination for refugees, Nur Jazlan blasted the United Nations body, warning it against "blackmailing" Kuala Lumpur.

"UNHCR is publicly pressuring Malaysia to take responsibility and accept these people.

"We have accommodated the refugees based on their (UNHCR's) request, but only on the understanding that Malaysia is a transit country. It is not fair to force Malaysia's hand to take responsibility for them (the refugees).

"Malaysia is a transit country, but suddenly, they want us to be a final destination? This is totally irresponsible. They do not even follow their own charter, let alone our policies and laws.

"UNHCR claims it operates under the auspices of international law, but to make statements that are contrary to ours, that run counter to our Constitution and the sensitivities of our citizens, this is just not done.

"I would appreciate it if they would stop making announcements like this," he told the New Straits Times.

Nur Jazlan said UNHCR should instead focus on its core responsibility of moving the refugees to a third country.

Towle, during the unveiling of the new card and mobile application, thanked Canberra for its financial contribution to the project.

"Australia has been a very strong supporter of this project (and) of our work here in Malaysia for a few years now. Thank you for that," he said at the UNHCR headquarters in Jalan Bukit Petaling here.

Present were United States, Australian and Malaysian officials.

To this, Nur Jazlan questioned Australia's interest in the project, saying if the country wanted to support the cause, it should be taking the refugees in, too.

"Why didn't Australia take these people in if they are really interested in the project?

"They are trying to push the project here by giving money. Since they support the cause, why don't they take in these people? It would be a bigger contribution," he said.

Nur Jazlan said the refugees in Australia would not even be on Australian soil, as they are sent to Christmas Island and Nauru.

The new card, which Towle called "state-of-the-art", has a number of enhanced security features, including 3D holograms and barcodes. On the back of the card, a large "Secure Quick Response" code is printed.

Towle said the card was supported by an enhanced biometric data collection system at the UNHCR office, while the physical quality of the card was more robust, stronger and durable.

"We are never going to be able to eradicate fraud completely, but we are doing what we can, on our side, as much as we can.

"We can develop the card, but unless law enforcement officials work closely with us, there will still be people trying to find ways to manipulate the system.

"We hope (from) today, we will see a new level of cooperation."

Nur Jazlan, however, questioned the due diligence conducted by the agency prior to the issuance of the new cards.

"The improvements to the card are only in terms of security enhancements and features.

"I question the criteria under which the card is issued.

"For example, if we want to issue an identification card, there are several requirements that (an applicant) will have to meet, such as (the applicant) must be born here, that (his or her) parents are born here or that (he or she is a) naturalised citizen."

In March, the NST exposed syndicates offering fake UNHCR cards to illegal immigrants, especially those from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Indonesia. The syndicates, operating in Kuala Lumpur and other major cities nationwide, were selling fake UNHCR cards for between RM50 and RM170, depending on the quality.