BIDOR, PERAK May 18, 2026 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has emphasised that registration under the government’s new Refugee Registration Document (Dokumen Pendaftaran Pelarian — DPP) programme does not grant refugees or asylum seekers permanent residency in Malaysia.
In a statement issued today during his visit to the Special Isolation Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Bidor, Perak, Saifuddin stressed that the programme ensures orderly, planned, and humane management while prioritising national security and sovereignty.
“The outcomes for this group remain only three: repatriation when their home country is safe again, resettlement to a third country via UNHCR, or deportation for those who violate Malaysian laws,” he said.
Strict Screening and Comprehensive Records
The minister inspected the implementation of the DPP pilot programme, which includes rigorous screening, interviews, biometric registration, facial recognition, and voice recording. These processes are carried out by the Home Ministry (KDN) in collaboration with relevant agencies.
“The DPP ensures the government has more complete, credible, and comprehensive records on the identity, presence, and background of individuals involved — far better than the previous system where data was only held by UNHCR,” Saifuddin added.
The pilot phase focuses on Myanmar Rohingya detainees currently held in immigration depots nationwide. As of the visit, 101 Rohingya detainees (100 men and one woman) are at the Bidor centre, which has a capacity of 400. Of these, 78 have already been granted refugee status under the DPP.
Balanced Approach Under Malaysia MADANI
Saifuddin said the government is committed to balancing humanitarian considerations with national security and the interests of Malaysians.
The DPP programme officially began on 1 January 2026 and is expected to be rolled out nationwide. It replaces the previous UNHCR-led registration system, with UNHCR’s role now limited primarily to third-country resettlement referrals.
This latest statement comes amid ongoing discussions on refugee management, with the government aiming for a more structured and secure approach to handling refugees and asylum seekers.
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