Refugee registration system being tested with Jan 1 launch targeted, Dewan Rakyat told

Photo: The Star

Arakan Now | 2 December 2025

The government is developing a new registration system to collect biometric data on all refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.

He told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Dec 2) that the initiative, introduced under National Security Council Directive No. 23, will provide the government with official and comprehensive data on refugees — information that has until now been managed largely by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The data will guide social support, employment and education programmes, while ensuring that national security remains a top priority.

“The Home Ministry, through the Immigration Department, will register all refugees and asylum seekers. Some applications may still be rejected if recognising the individual as a refugee poses a security risk,” he told Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN–Sik).

Ahmad Tarmizi had asked whether the government planned to use existing UNHCR data or develop a new national database, and whether agencies such as the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and NGOs operating refugee schools would be involved to ensure transparency and access to social services.

Shamsul Anuar said the government is currently testing the registration system, developed in collaboration with Mimos Berhad, and welcomed feedback from NGOs working with refugees.

He stressed that the programme is essential, as the government has never had access to comprehensive or official refugee data in Malaysia, making this a crucial step forward.

The programme, scheduled to begin on Jan 1, includes several preparatory measures. These include testing the registration system; establishing the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Isolation Centre in Bidor, Perak; finalising standard operating procedures for registration and refugee status determination in line with international standards; and completing amendments to relevant immigration regulations.

“Once refugees have been registered and issued the Refugee Registration Document (DPP), they will be allowed to live legally in Peninsular Malaysia and gain access to employment, education and healthcare,” he said.

Shamsul Anuar reiterated that the government currently does not have official data on refugees, as registration and status determination are handled by UNHCR. Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, and therefore does not maintain demographic records such as age, gender or country of origin.

He added that once the DPP programme is fully implemented, around 200,000 refugees are expected to be included, although exact figures are not yet available.

Details on work permit fees are still being reviewed by the Human Resources Ministry, along with other related issues being studied by the relevant ministries.