PUTRAJAYA: The power to provide asylum to Rohingya refugees in the country should only be given to Malaysian authorities, not other third-party agencies, says Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

       The Home Minister said many Rohingya refugees in the country claim they are registered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), but the authenticity of their claims are questionable.

       ALSO READ: Malaysia to review use of UNHCR cards for Rohingya refugees

       “This issue involving Rohingya refugees in the country has been around for a long time.

       “Today, there are more than 150,000 refugees registered with UNHCR.

       “The sole registration agency in the country is the National Registration Department (NRD), led by its director-general Datuk Ruslin Jusoh.

       “He is the most legitimate registrar of individuals in the country. Why should there be a different entity registering individuals in our country?” said Hamzah at a press conference here Friday (April 29).

       ALSO READ: Depot riot: Some Rohingya escapees could be hiding in Selayang, says Immigration DG

       Hamzah said the ministry is currently planning to issue its own refugee cards.

       “We are looking for a way to only accept refugee cards issued by agencies under the Home Ministry, not by the UNHCR.

       “Who’s to say these cards issued by UNHCR are even valid?

       “It is Malaysia who should have the sole authority to decide if an individual can live in the country legally through cards issued by its own agency,” said Hamzah.