Operational context
UNHCR continued to work closely with the Government in 2019, providing technical support for the drafting of a directive addressing temporary stay, legal work, health and education for refugees.
In 2019, Malaysia hosted some 178,600 refugees and asylum-seekers and a much larger undocumented migrant population. In the absence of a national asylum system, UNHCR conducted registration of asylum-seekers and refugee status determination under its mandate. Some new arrivals were recorded in 2019, however, most asylum-seekers registered during the year had been residing in Malaysia for some time. UNHCR prioritized the registration of those with heightened protection risks and vulnerabilities.
From August, UNHCR’s access to immigration detention centers was suspended, however the Office continued to advocate for access to asylum and protection in detention. People of concern who held refugee cards enjoyed relative protection from arrest and detention.
Polpulation trends
Malaysia had a total of 178,600 registered people of concern (69% men and 31% women) in 2019. Children and adolescents accounted for 26% of the total number of persons of concern, and 18% were young adults (18 - 24 years). Some 7,500 people (4%) had specific needs, of whom 64% were women. Some 86% of registered refugees and asylum-seekers were of Rohingya and Chin ethnicity from Myanmar.
The size of the stateless population in Malaysia was not established, although at the end of 2019, almost 13,100 individuals affected by statelessness were known to UNHCR to be residing in Peninsular Malaysia. The number of individuals or groups affected by statelessness outside of Peninsular Malaysia was unknown.
Achievements
- Nearly 1,000 stateless persons were granted Malaysian nationality.
- Access to health care was increased with the opening of a third primary care clinic. With support from UNHCR and the Government of Qatar, the Government of Malaysia started a health programme for refugees through three NGOs.
- 1,500 people of concern were sensitized on SGBV through positive parenting and financial budgeting skills support. Sensitization of 30 community leaders and over 50 teachers resulted in 250 children being informed of their rights and how to report abuse, neglect and exploitation.
- Training on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) policies, reporting mechanisms and support services were conducted for more than 100 UNHCR staff and nearly 70 partners.
Unmet needs
2019 funding was significantly less than that which served a population half the size ten years ago. This hampered the Office’s capacity to fully support the Government in developing a refugee policy.
- The Office was also unable to establish a presence in, and outreach to, refugee communities in key areas of the country in order to provide counselling and services.
- Meaningful cash-based interventions could not be implemented.
- Support for secondary education could not be provided.
- Support for legal practitioners to assist stateless persons with their nationality submissions was deprioritized.