KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry is still gathering evidence on allegations that non-refugees were given refugee status cards by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

       Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (pic) also said the ministry has yet to hold discussions with UNHCR on the matter.

       He said the ministry was gathering more evidence to ensure there were no mistakes and to confirm that the issue was not confined to one or two parties.

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       "If there is a lot (evidence), they would not be able to say anything. There is something that (they) may be hiding from us and this is what we are doing (evidence gathering) now.

       "I will make a decision when the time comes... it is better for those who want to stay in our country to comply with our laws,” he told reporters after officiating the NIISe project contract handover ceremony here on Tuesday (June 21).

       He said all parties should have confidence in Malaysia's laws as it is an independent country.

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       On another matter, Hamzah said the Home Ministry was still responsible for foreign workers’ safety even though the entry quota for the group was now managed by the Human Resources Ministry.

       "For example, foreigners who work as maids, where safety is their own responsibility. But who ensures their safety? Others would not know, except the Home Ministry through the police and Immigration who will assist if issues arise. The same goes with the security sector involving foreign guards,” he said.

       He added that the Home Ministry also vetted foreigners brought in to work in the country to ensure that they were not blacklisted.

       "If an employer gets a quota (of) 100 foreigners, he has to pay levy to Immigration and then key in the (details) into our system.

       "If the foreigners are blacklisted in our country, we will not approve the Temporary Employment Visit Pass (PLKS). If they pass, we will stamp the visa with the PLKS and issue them a card (so they can) work in the country,” he said. – Bernama