Malaysia is expected to have preliminary data on Myanmar refugees registered under its Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme by the fourth quarter of this year, as authorities step up efforts to establish a verified database of refugees in the country.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Home Ministry, through the Immigration Department, is currently collecting biometric and identity information in coordination with relevant agencies.

“I expect we will obtain the first data in the fourth quarter of this year,” Saifuddin said on Sunday, adding that the figures would be shared with the media once available.

According to Malay Mail, the DPP programme was introduced to help the Malaysian government obtain more accurate, complete and verifiable information on refugees and others covered under the programme.

The initiative is being implemented in line with National Security Council Directive No. 23 (Revision 2023), which provides a framework for managing refugee-related issues in Malaysia.

Saifuddin said those confirmed as legitimate refugees would be prioritised for repatriation, with the process to be coordinated by Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, or Wisma Putra.

“If they are legitimate refugees, then they will certainly be among the first groups we will manage to repatriate,” he said.

He stressed that the ongoing exercise was not limited to Myanmar nationals but covered all individuals identified as refugees in Malaysia.

The minister said authorities were also working on ways to reach the refugee community and encourage those concerned to come forward for registration and data collection.

Malaysia hosts a large population of refugees and asylum seekers, most of them from Myanmar, including Rohingya who fled persecution and conflict in their homeland.

The latest move comes as Malaysia continues to face pressure to develop a more organised system for managing refugees while balancing humanitarian concerns, border security and possible repatriation arrangements with countries of origin.

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