Refugee Policy Must Balance Humanitarian Duties And National Security - DPM Ahmad Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must strengthen its existing refugee management framework to ensure humanitarian responsibilities are balanced with national security and sovereignty amid the worsening global refugee crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said the move is necessary as the world faces an increasingly complex refugee crisis, with more than 122 million people forcibly displaced by conflict and global instability.
“This situation requires every country, including Malaysia, to have clear policies and management mechanisms that balance humanitarian responsibilities with the need to safeguard national security and sovereignty.
“I believe refugee management is not merely an administrative matter. It is also about protecting national security, preserving public order and ensuring every decision is guided by the interests of the people and Malaysia’s sovereignty,” he said in a Facebook post today.
The Deputy Prime Minister made the remarks after chairing the 6th Meeting of the High-Level Committee on the Management of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, which reviewed the implementation of policies and management mechanisms to ensure Malaysia’s refugee framework remains systematic and aligned with national interests.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) and discussed streamlining guidelines on access to education and healthcare to ensure they are better coordinated, legally compliant and easier for relevant agencies to administer.
Meanwhile, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, in his Facebook post, said refugee management has become an increasingly complex cross-border issue that requires a clear, structured and forward-looking approach.
Ramanan, who also attended the meeting, said the issue extends beyond humanitarian concerns and has long-term implications for governance, inter-agency coordination and national well-being.
“During the meeting, we also reviewed several key agenda items to ensure policies are implemented in a more systematic manner, with clearly defined responsibilities for each agency and in accordance with existing laws.
“I am confident that a well-planned and coordinated approach will enable decisions to be implemented more effectively. Any policy introduced must strike a balance between humanitarian responsibilities, the country's capacity and national interests to safeguard the well-being of the people and Malaysia’s future,” he said.
Separately, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Home Ministry (KDN) continues to approach refugee and asylum seeker issues from multiple perspectives, with national security remaining a key consideration.
In a Facebook post, he said that while the ministry recognises the humanitarian dimensions of the issue, safeguarding national security, public order, and the country's sovereignty remains its overriding priority.
“Many important matters were discussed during the meeting, particularly efforts to strengthen the management of refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia so that it is more systematic, better coordinated and responsive to the realities and challenges we face.
“The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the DPP and several proposals to improve coordination among ministries and agencies,” he said.
Saifuddin said any approach adopted must be clear, structured and capable of being implemented effectively by all relevant parties.
“Insya-Allah, KDN will continue to play its role in ensuring that every agreed policy and decision is implemented in an orderly manner, in the interests of the nation and the well-being of the people,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
