KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 78 foreigners have been approved for refugee status under the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme as of June, according to the Home Ministry (KDN).
The Ministry of Home Affairs, in a written response posted on the Parliament website today, informed that the group was part of 128 Myanmar national detainees (ethnic Rohingya) who were transferred to the Special Isolation Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (PPKPPS) in Bidor, Perak for the status determination process.
According to the ministry, the DPP program, which begins on Jan 1, 2026, aims to manage the registration of biometric information, security screening, as well as the process of determining and verifying the status of migrants applying for temporary protection in this country.
“The first phase of this program focused on detainees at Immigration Detention Depots (DTI) throughout Peninsular Malaysia with a total of 4,010 people being detained.
“The total includes 4,008 Myanmar citizens as well as one Sudanese and one Syrian citizen each,” he said in response to a question from Wong Chen (PH-Subang) on the status of the implementation of the DPP and the protection of the human rights of asylum seekers.
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that Phase 2 of the DPP Program, involving the registration of United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) cardholders and those claiming to be refugees outside the DTI, is planned to begin in the second half of 2026.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs aims to have the registration process for this group fully completed by December 31, 2029,” according to the ministry.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) explained that valid DPP holders can be considered for access to social assistance and services such as employment, health and education on a conditional, controlled and supervised basis under the government’s supervision through relevant ministries and agencies.
“DPP holders are fully subject to Malaysian laws and regulations. Any violation of the law or the conditions set may result in appropriate action, including cancellation of the Special Pass and deportation from Malaysia,” according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Commenting on the aspect of human rights, the Ministry of Home Affairs stressed that although Malaysia is not a State Party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, the government remains committed to taking an approach based on humanitarian principles to help this group live an orderly life.
— BERNAMA
