KUALA LUMPUR — The Home Ministry is implementing the Refugee Registration Document Programme (DPP) through the Immigration Department to manage refugee-related issues in a more structured manner, in line with National Security Council Directive No. 23 (2023 Revision).
In a statement today, the ministry said the programme is designed to collect accurate, complete and verifiable biometric data and identity information of individuals classified as refugees in Malaysia.
It said this data is crucial for strengthening national security, improving enforcement effectiveness and enabling the government to develop more evidence-based policies reflecting ground realities.
“This data is important to strengthen national security, improve enforcement effectiveness and help the government formulate policies that are more fact-based and reflect the actual situation on the ground,” the statement said.
The ministry stressed that the initiative is not intended to grant citizenship, permanent residency or long-term settlement rights in Malaysia. Refugees’ status will remain subject to existing mechanisms, including third-country resettlement processes managed through relevant channels.
Beyond security considerations, the availability of reliable data would also support more orderly and controlled policy planning for refugee management in the country.
On employment, the ministry said that where refugees meeting specific conditions are permitted to work, access would be tightly regulated and aligned with government policy.
“This approach is not intended to increase the number of foreign workers in the labour market, but to reduce dependence on new inflows of foreign labour while meeting the needs of specific sectors facing labour shortages,” it said.
It added that any work access granted would be focused on industries experiencing manpower shortages and heavy reliance on foreign labour, particularly labour-intensive sectors such as plantations, agriculture and construction.
All individuals permitted to work would also be subject to Malaysian labour laws, including minimum wage requirements and existing worker protection regulations.
“This measure is important to prevent exploitation of labour and ensure fair competition in the labour market,” the statement said.
The ministry further clarified that high-skilled and professional sectors will continue to be subject to strict conditions, assessments and regulatory approval by the relevant ministries and agencies.
Acknowledging public concerns, particularly regarding the Rohingya community — one of the largest refugee groups in Malaysia — the ministry reiterated that refugee status does not provide immunity from Malaysian law.
“Any individual who commits criminal offences, threatens public security or violates national laws will remain subject to enforcement action, prosecution and legal proceedings under existing laws,” it said.
It added that national security will never be compromised, and the government will continue to manage refugee-related matters responsibly, based on law, national interest and humanitarian realities at both regional and international levels. – June 13, 2026