Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul says MPs must address urgent refugee needs, focusing on education for children and legal work for adults to prevent long-term social issues.
KUALA LUMPUR: A parliamentary symposium has underscored the critical need to address the education and legal work rights of refugees in Malaysia.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the event was a crucial platform to raise awareness among MPs and the public on these urgent issues.
He warned that many young refugees currently have no access to education, which could pose long-term social challenges.
“If they are not educated and remain here without skills or opportunities, this could potentially contribute to social problems,” Johari told reporters after the symposium at Parliament.
He urged MPs to raise the matter in their respective select committees and produce comprehensive reports.
Johari pledged to provide space in Parliament for the issues to be debated to ensure broader public understanding.
In his opening speech, he noted Malaysia hosts more than 200,000 refugees.
The majority are adults of working age but are not legally permitted to work, while nearly 30% are children lacking access to formal education.
“Today’s symposium invites us to reflect on how allowing refugees to work legally and ensuring that refugee children have access to education can significantly contribute to our nation’s growth,” he said.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Malaysia Louise Aubin thanked Johari for convening the symposium.
She stated that parliamentarians play a key role in disseminating accurate information given their direct public engagement.
“Treating refugees well or badly does not change the reality that they are here,” Aubin said.
She emphasised that addressing their needs through legal means is the most appropriate way to manage the asylum situation.
Aubin also underscored Malaysia’s historical tradition of hosting refugees from the region.
She noted refugees ultimately desire to return home once conflicts are resolved safely.
Until then, she expressed hope they could count on Malaysia to help them reconstruct a normal life.
Providing refugees with education, healthcare and lawful employment stabilises their situation and benefits Malaysia, she added.
