PUTRAJAYA, Aug 9 — Preliminary data on Myanmar refugees who are currently identified through the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme is expected to be obtained in the fourth quarter of this year, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said the Home Ministry (KDN) through the Immigration Department (JIM) is implementing the data collection process with relevant parties.

“I expect we will obtain the first data in the fourth quarter of this year, now it is August. Whatever the number is, I will share it with the media later,” he said in a press conference after the Star City FC Tour Convoy flag off ceremony here today.

The media reported that KDN through JIM is implementing the DPP programme to manage the issue of this group in an organised manner, in line with National Security Council Directive No. 23 (Revision 2023).

KDN said the programme was created to enable the government to obtain more accurate, complete and verifiable biometric data and identity information on individuals in the refugee category.

Saifuddin Nasution said individuals identified as refugees would be given priority for repatriation through action by Wisma Putra.

“If they are legitimate refugees, then they will certainly be among the first groups we will manage to repatriate. That will be handled by Wisma Putra.

“We are conducting a data collection. We need to have a mechanism to reach out to them and publicise that the Malaysian Government is conducting a data collection and we will ask them to come forward,” he said.

Saifuddin Nasution explained that the refugee data collection is not focused on Myanmar refugees only but covers all those identified in this country. — Bernama