Kuala Lumpur: Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has urged the Government to expedite the drafting of a Malaysian Refugee Act as a comprehensive national legal framework to address the country’s long-standing refugee issue.
He said the absence of specific legislation had resulted in refugee-related matters being managed solely through administrative policies and existing practices.
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“I, together with several other Members of Parliament, have repeatedly raised issues relating to refugees, undocumented migrants (PATI), and various cases involving foreign nationals, yet no comprehensive solution has been implemented.
“The Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Illegal Immigrants in Sabah was established in 2012 to investigate the influx of foreign nationals, and its recommendations were subsequently tabled in the Dewan Rakyat. Unfortunately, no concrete action has been taken by the Government to date.
“Therefore, Tuaran proposes that a Malaysian Refugee Act be drafted as soon as possible to address this prolonged refugee issue,” he said.
Madius noted that the armed conflict in the southern Philippines since the early 1970s had forced tens of thousands of Filipinos to flee to Sabah in search of refuge.
He said the refugees were initially accommodated in six major settlement schemes in Sabah with the cooperation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), before responsibility for their administration was transferred to the Sabah State Government.
“This situation has created numerous challenges in terms of security, law enforcement, education, healthcare, employment opportunities, social welfare, international relations and the protection of human rights.
“This is because Malaysia does not have a dedicated national legal framework that defines refugee status, regulates their rights and responsibilities, or clearly outlines the Government’s authority in managing refugee-related matters,” he said.
Madius said the proposed legislation should provide a clear definition of refugee status, establish registration procedures, introduce a comprehensive management mechanism and set out long-term solutions, including voluntary repatriation processes.
He further proposed the establishment of a Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Refugees and Stateless Persons to conduct a comprehensive review of Malaysia’s refugee policies.
“The refugee issue is no longer a temporary matter. It has become a reality that we have been facing for more than 50 years.
“I therefore hope the country will move towards a clear legal framework to ensure that Malaysia’s sovereignty and the security of its people are safeguarded in the future,” he said.
Madius is also the Tamparuli State Assemblyman and Honorary President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko).
