HUMAN rights activists are still clamouring for more progressive policies to ensure the wellbeing and safety of refugees and asylum seekers in the country, despite a possibility of the group being allowed to work temporarily in the plantation sector.

Activists said it was high time Putrajaya started engaging with the stakeholders to discuss policies that will protect such individuals.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, who is also plantation and commodities minister, told the Dewan Rakyat that the government, under the National Security Council, was reviewing and studying the possibility of allowing refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia to work temporarily in the plantation sector as a way to overcome labour shortage.

But human rights groups, who have had a lukewarm relationship with the two previous governments on refugees issues, said more must be done for these people.

They expressed concern the unity government will not follow in the steps of the previous administration when the then home minister Hamzah Zainudin told the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) not to interfere in Malaysia’s affairs when the country deported Myanmar nationals back to their home country.

He had also said Rohingya refugees have no status, rights or basis to state demands from the Malaysian government, adding that any organisation claiming to represent the Rohingya here was illegal under the Societies Act 1966.

According to UNHCR, as of the end January, there are 183,790 refugees and asylum seekers registered with in Malaysia. A total 158,870 are from Myanmar, comprising 106,500 Rohingya, 23,450 Chins, and 28,920 other ethnic groups from conflict-affected areas or fleeing persecution in Myanmar.

The remaining individuals are 24,920 refugees and asylum seekers from 50 countries fleeing war and persecution, including 6,940 Pakistanis, 3,370 Afghans, 3,360 Yemenis, 3,020 Somalis, 2,810 Syrians, 1,500 Sri Lankans, 750 Iraqis, 630 Palestinians, and others.

Maintaining status quo

Malaysian Bar’s M. Ramachelvam said the current government’s stand on the issue is not much different from the previous administration.

The co-chairman of the Migrant Refugees and Immigration Affairs committee said the Bar has submitted letters to relevant ministries on the matter but has yet to receive any feedback.

“We have sent an official memorandum to the law and reform minister and deputy minister and we have also given our proposal to officials from the Home Ministry,” Ramachelvam said.

“We have yet to get any replies. The government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership must come up with a progressive policy to tackle this issue.

“The new government must look into this matter seriously. If not, refugees and asylum seekers here will have a bleak future.

“The UNHCR must also be allowed access into immigration depots or detention centres so that the rights of refugees and asylum seekers are protected.”

He also said the government must grant refugees the right to education and work, as well as the right to identification.

“Refugees must have the right to work, or else how can they survive? Their children should have the right to education and they too should have documentation. These are basic fundamental rights for them,” he added.

Last year Malaysia deported Pakistani journalist, Syed Fawad Ali Syah, who was in exile in Malaysia for more than 10 years.

Syed Fawad, who held a UNHCR refugee card, had sought asylum in Malaysia for alleged persecution in Pakistan over articles published in several English dailies there related to alleged government corruption.

Human rights groups have slammed Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for saying he would be taking tips from his predecessor Hamzah  on home affairs.

They urged Saifuddin to engage with them to find out the reality involving refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers.

In a statement endorsed by nine civil society groups, the group said they were disappointed with Saifuddin’s reaction to allegations that detainees at the Kimanis Immigration depot were badly treated.

Agreeing with Ramachelvam was Adrian Pereira of the North South Initiative.

He said the government must act against vigilantes trying to harp on sensitive issues by creating fear among locals against refugees.

“The National Security Council should act and tell these people to stop what they are doing. You cannot simply go and barge into someone’s house or premise just because they are refugees.

“This will allow more people to do the same and this is a form of discrimination or threat against them,” he said.

Pereira said although he does not believe the present government would shut down UNHCR, as mentioned by the previous government, more needs to be done.

“So far we have yet to hear or see any changes in terms of policies. I believe Anwar won’t shut down the UN office as threatened by the previous government.

“But a lot has to be done. They must not fall into the trap that says refugees are here to take over, the rights of certain groups will be abolished.

“What they need to do is to be bold and come up with a clear policy,” Pereira added. – April 5, 2023.