‘We cannot manage what we do not know’: Saifuddin admits refugee data gap, pledges biometric fix

PETALING JAYA, June 15 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has called on academics, civil society activists, think tanks, legal practitioners and security experts to submit constructive proposals on refugee management in Malaysia, an issue he described as a longstanding legacy challenge.

“This is not a new issue. It is a legacy that has persisted across administrations. But the fact that it is a legacy has never been an excuse for the government to sit back or avoid taking action,” he said in a Facebook post.

Saifuddin stressed that the Madani government was committed to handling the matter responsibly, prudently and based on facts, with clear priorities — safeguarding national security while recognising humanitarian realities.

He noted that one of the biggest challenges was the absence of comprehensive and accurate data owned by the Malaysian government on individuals classified as refugees. To address this, the government is undertaking a more extensive process of data collection and biometric registration.

“We cannot manage what we do not know. We cannot protect national security without knowing precisely who is within our borders,” he said, adding that accurate data would enable more effective management of issues ranging from security and law enforcement to public health, employment and community welfare.

At the same time, Saifuddin emphasised that refugee status was not a licence to break Malaysian laws. “Any individual who commits a criminal offence or violates national laws will face enforcement action and due legal process,” he said.

He reiterated that the government would not shield offenders or compromise on national security. Instead, the aim was to strengthen Malaysia’s capacity to manage a reality that has long existed in the country.

“The goal is not to protect refugees, but to protect national interests, public safety and social order,” he said, adding that Malaysians should be able to discuss the issue “maturely, rationally and responsibly in the interest of the nation we all love”.