He said his ministry will conduct the checks with the relevant religious bodies to ensure that missionary groups are free from deviant teachings.

“Whoever comes here, regardless of the form of talks, will be monitored,” he said when winding up the debate on the 2020 Supply Bill at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

“For Muslim missionaries, there are the state religious councils. Those who are found without credentials will not be allowed.

“We will also monitor non-Muslim missionaries as well.”

On the standard operating procedure for the entry of priests, pastors and monks for Hindu temples and Granthi from Gudhwara, Muhyiddin said the immigration department issues visit passes (professional) under the missionary category to foreigners for 12 months. These can be extended to a maximum of 36 months.

On the issuance of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards to refugees, Muhyiddin said his ministry is reviewing the process so that cards can only be issued after approval from the immigration department.

“Actually, those who come to the country such as the Rohingya do not have any documents at all. From the international aspect, they are known as stateless persons but upon entering Malaysia, they are considered refugees by UNCHR and are issued the card,” he said.

He also said Malaysia is not a member country of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and is not subject to the responsibilities under the convention including providing employment for refugees.

However, based on its humanitarian policy, the government through the National Security Council is considering how to provide opportunities to UNHCR card holders to work and carry out economic activities to support themselves before being sent to a third country, he said.