Refugees in Malaysia accorded full human rights

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has constantly urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to speed up the process for those undocumented individuals to their home countries or a third country, especially those from Myanmar, as their presence has affected the country's economic, social, peace and security conditions.
Minister in the prime minister's department, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, revealed to the Dewan Rakyat today that according to the UNHCR January's statistics, it recorded a total 151,838 individuals from various countries have applied for amnesty and refugee status.
The statistic showed that out of 20 countries, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Pakistan showed the highest number in terms of applications for the status mentioned.
The total for Myanmar stands at 140,590 with 4,153 for Sri Lanka and 1,212 for Pakistan.
He said in a written reply that Malaysia does not recognise nor is part of the 1951 Refugee Convention or the Refugee Protocol Status 1967.
As such, those who have applied for both statuses, do not enjoy the rights as stated under either the convention or the protocol.
However, he said, based on humanitarian grounds, the government has allowed those termed "Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin" (Pati) to temporarily live in Malaysia using the UNHCR card.
He added that firstly, refugees are not denied their freedom of movement or detained if found to have otherwise violated laws.
Secondly, they are not sent to their home country based on the 'non-refoulement' principle, but otherwise through voluntary return.
Thirdly, they are not denied of their right to receive medical treatment in government-based hospitals or clinics and are given a 50% discount charge in comparison to expatriates.
He added they are also given education facilities at private schools.
He was responding to Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud's (PAS-Kota Raja) question where she had sought to know the total number of refugees under the UNHCR and the rights which are accorded to them while residing in the country.