Penang Works Closely With Federal Govt On Rohingya Refugee Issue - Chow

GEORGE TOWN, June 16 (Bernama) -- Penang is working closely with the federal government and security agencies to ensure that the management of more than 20,000 Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers in the state is carried out in an orderly, registered and controlled manner.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that, based on data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as of August 2023, an estimated 20,022 Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers were residing in various parts of Penang.

“They are living in Kepala Batas, Tasek Gelugor, Bagan, Permatang Pauh, Bukit Mertajam, Batu Kawan, Nibong Tebal, Bukit Bendera, Tanjong, Jelutong, Bukit Gelugor, Bayan Baru and Balik Pulau.

“The state government has always adopted a pragmatic, prudent and responsible approach in addressing issues involving refugees and asylum seekers in the state, in line with policies and decisions set by the federal government,” he told reporters after the 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PBA Holdings Bhd (PBAHB) here today.

He was commenting on the current situation and the number of Rohingya community members residing in the state.

Chow explained that matters relating to the entry of foreign nationals, recognition of refugee status, border control and immigration enforcement fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government through the Home Ministry, the Immigration Department and the National Security Council (MKN).

As such, he said the state government fully supports the implementation of MKN Directive No. 23 (Revised 2023), including the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) mechanism, which is aimed at ensuring that refugee management is carried out in a more systematic, registered and controlled manner.

“The DPP is not a policy to increase the number of refugees in Penang, but rather a federal government mechanism to identify who they are, where they are located and how they can be monitored more effectively,” he said.

He also stressed that the state government would not compromise on any violations of the law, adding that criminal activities, document fraud, human trafficking, involvement in immoral activities or breaches of immigration regulations would be dealt with by the relevant authorities in accordance with the law, without exception.

-- BERNAMA