Zaliha said the government is also looking to provide social assistance to registered refugees under a recently revised National Security Council (MKN) directive on the management of refugees and asylum seekers.

“This includes allowing them to work legally in Malaysia.

“However, the details are being refined, taking into account the relevant sectors’ conditions and labour requirements.

“They will be finalised once all refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia have registered with the government,” she said in a written parliamentary reply to Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh), who asked about the government’s plans to address labour shortages and its policy on refugees in Malaysia.

Zaliha said while Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, the government has consistently adopted a humanitarian approach towards refugees, particularly the Rohingya community from Myanmar, as well as refugees from other countries.

“Malaysia has allowed them to stay temporarily in the country, subject to existing laws, before they are resettled in a third country or repatriated to their country of origin,” she said.

According to Zaliha, the amendment to MKN Directive No 23, signed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 14, 2023, outlines the government’s framework for managing refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.

She said it also defines the roles and responsibilities of relevant government agencies involved in this process.