National Security Council moots shuttering UN refugee agency’s office

National Security Council (NSC) director-general Rodzi Md Saad has reportedly proposed shutting down the UN High Commission for Refugees’ (UNHCR) office in Malaysia.

According to a report by Harian Metro today, he said getting rid of foreign interference would allow Malaysia to better manage its refugee situation, and his agency is studying a suitable mechanism to implement this before recommending it to the government.

"So, the time (for implementation) is still subjective, depending on preparations and successful implementation of the mechanisms that we will manage ourselves.

"The framework is already there for us to handle undocumented migrants as well as refugees in our country by ourselves, without foreign interference," he was quoted as saying.

He said this at a press conference held at the National Security Policy Literacy Programme 2021-2022 in Shah Alam.

For the record, Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Local laws also do not distinguish between undocumented economic migrants and asylum seekers.

However, Rodzi (above) said the closure of UNHCR’s Malaysia office will not be happening anytime soon.

This is because the functions of local agencies involved still need to be improved.

"We want to enhance NSC Directive 23 first. Once we find that everything in Directive 23 can be implemented properly, then we can follow up with the closure.

"As long as we have not set up a good management system, we will not implement it," he said, referring to the 2009 directive on how to handle "illegal immigrants" who hold cards issued by the UNHCR.

No respect for local laws

Rodzi was quoted saying that undocumented migrants are drawn to Malaysia because of the amenities available here, and they could seek the UNHCR’s protection, which has been issuing the cards without referring to any authority, including the police and Immigration Department.

"This is unfair to us (Malaysians). When the UNHCR doesn’t refer to our authorities first, it’s as though they have no respect for our country," he was quoted as saying.

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