KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA plans to issue identification cards to refugees who are recognised by the United Nations, allowing them to stay in the country temporarily and avoid arrest as illegal immigrants.
Malaysia, which has declined to join the UN convention on refugees for fear of attracting a flood of migrants, previously has arrested refugees frequently as illegal aliens.
Mostly from Myanmar, the refugees often have spent months in overcrowded detention centres and faced caning and deportation.
The plans announced on Monday reflect a softening of Malaysia's position toward the refugees, although it continues to refuse them official recognition.
Home Ministry Secretary General Mahmood Adam said the government would work with the UN refugee agency to issue the cards so immigration enforcement personnel would recognise and spare UN-designated refugees.
'As long as they are recognised as refugees by the UN, they can stay here temporarily,' he told The Associated Press.
'They cannot work here, but they can do odd jobs.' He could not give an exact timeline but said the initiative was in the 'final stage'.
According to the UN agency, about 75,600 refugees and asylum-seekers were in Malaysia as of November. Most fled persecution in Myanmar.
Ms Yante Ismail, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, welcomed the development and further discussions to form a documentation system. -- RP
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