Ministry: Malaysia’s refugee screening system to guide repatriation and resettlement decisions

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — The registration and determination of refugee status under the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) Programme will serve as a basis for the government to determine appropriate measures for managing refugees, including repatriation when conditions permit or resettlement in a third country.

The Home Ministry (KDN) said the mechanism would also enable the government to manage the temporary presence of refugees and consider granting them access to permitted facilities based on their status and information obtained through the registration process.

In a written reply published on the Parliament website, the ministry said the DPP programme was being implemented in stages from Jan 1, 2026, beginning with individuals held at immigration detention depots before expanding to those in the community, including United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders and individuals claiming to be refugees or asylum seekers.

“The process involves the registration of personal information, collection of biometric data, background checks, security screening, and determination of refugee status by the government.

“Possession of a UNHCR card does not automatically mean that an individual is recognised as a refugee by the government. Only those who successfully pass the status determination process and security screening under the DPP programme will be recognised,” the ministry said.

The reply was in response to a question from P. Prabakaran (PH-Batu) on the measures taken by the government to ensure that UNHCR cardholders in Malaysia could be effectively identified, monitored and managed in accordance with national laws.

KDN said information collected under the programme would form an official government database to establish the identities, status and whereabouts of the individuals concerned. It would also facilitate monitoring and coordination among relevant agencies based on accurate and verifiable information.

The ministry stressed that the implementation of the DPP programme would not confer citizenship, permanent resident status or the right to reside permanently in Malaysia.

Instead, it said, the programme was intended to ensure that the identification, monitoring and management of refugees and asylum seekers remained under government control. — Bernama