Home Ministry: Refugee registration card not a path to Malaysian citizenship, PR or permanent stay

The Home Ministry has stressed that the Refugee Registration Document Programme is not a pathway for refugees to remain in Malaysia permanently, obtain Permanent Resident status or acquire Malaysian citizenship. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

First Published: Friday, 30 Oct 2026 4:29 PM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 30 — The Home Ministry (KDN) has stressed that the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) Programme is not a pathway for refugees to remain in Malaysia permanently, obtain Permanent Resident (PR) status or acquire Malaysian citizenship.

KDN said any employment access granted to DPP holders is temporary and limited, and subject to conditions and government approval.

“DPP is also not an incentive or pull factor for new refugees to enter Malaysia. The government has set January 1, 2023 as the eligibility cut-off date, meaning only individuals who were already in Malaysia before that date may be considered for participation in the programme,” it said in a statement today.

KDN said possession of a card or letter issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) does not automatically confer eligibility.

It said the government will continue to repatriate refugees to their countries of origin and resettle them in third countries and that the implementation of the DPP does not change that objective.

“Instead, the DPP is a mechanism to identify, screen, document and monitor existing refugees while a final solution is implemented in accordance with the law,” it said.

KDN also clarified that granting employment access to DPP holders does not mean the country’s labour market is being opened up freely to refugees.

According to KDN, the implementation takes into account the actual needs of industries, particularly sectors that continue to face labour shortages for 3D (dirty, dangerous and difficult) jobs that are less likely to be taken up by local workers.

“Priority for employment opportunities for Malaysian citizens remains protected, in line with the foreign worker employment policy and national security interests,” it said.

At the same time, KDN said lawful employment access would enable refugees to acquire skills, experience and verifiable employment records.

“This can help them meet the criteria for alternative resettlement pathways to third countries, including employment mobility programmes offered by host countries,” it said.

KDN explained that the approach would also enable the government to manage foreign workers who are already in Malaysia in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the need to bring in new foreign workers to fill certain vacancies.

It said the refugee issue was a legacy problem that had persisted for decades and posed major challenges to the country in terms of the economy, society, security and law enforcement.

Therefore, KDN, together with the Foreign Ministry, will continue efforts to cooperate with countries of origin and third countries to facilitate long-term solutions. — Bernama