By Refugee & Asylum Analysis— Zomi Press
Malaysia hosts more than 192,000 refugees and asylum seekers, most fleeing persecution, war, and systemic violence in Myanmar. According to UNHCR, 89% of all refugees in Malaysia are from Myanmar, including Rohingya, Zomi, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Shan, and other ethnic groups.
For decades, Myanmar refugees relied on UNHCR’s refugee registration system for identity protection, referrals, and limited humanitarian access. Malaysia’s new move to replace UNHCR registration with a state-controlled Refugee Registration Document (DPP) marks one of the most significant shifts in refugee management in the country’s history.
This transition brings new possibilities, but also deep fears, especially for Myanmar ethnic communities such as the Zomi Association of Malaysia (ZAM), Zomi Refugee Community (ZRC), Myanmar Ethnics’ Organization (MEO), Chin groups, Kachin and Karen networks, and other civil society communities supporting displaced families.
The New DPP System: A Major National Shift
On 25 November 2025, the Malaysian government announced that the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) will officially launch on 1 January 2026.
Key elements:
- Mandatory re-registration of all refugees
- Replacement of all UNHCR cards
- Government-issued identification
- Biometric data collection
- Centralized state-controlled database
Malaysia claims the DPP will help improve national security, reduce forged cards, and ensure accurate refugee data.
However, Malaysia has no national asylum law and is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, leaving refugees without legal recognition or legal protection.
Potential Benefits of a Government-Issued Refugee Document
1. Better Recognition by Law Enforcement
A standardized Malaysian ID could:
- Reduce police harassment
- Reduce arbitrary detention
- Improve safety at checkpoints
2. More Reliable Refugee Data
The DPP may help:
- Verify identities
- Improve coordination
- Prevent fraudulent documents
Community organizations like ZAM, ZRC, and MEO may benefit from more predictable data coordination.
3. Potential Pathway to Work Rights
Although no guarantees exist, Malaysia has previously explored refugee labor schemes. A verified registry could help open:
- Legal employment sectors
- Education and healthcare access
- Safer local integration
Risks & Fears from Refugee Communities
1. No Legal Protection
Without asylum legislation, the DPP alone does not protect refugees from:
- Arrest
- Detention
- Deportation
- Forced repatriation
This is a critical concern for Zomi, Chin, and other Myanmar minorities fleeing ongoing military attacks.
2. Biometric Surveillance & Data Misuse
Refugees fear biometric data could be:
- Misused
- Shared with unfriendly governments
- Used for profiling
No Malaysian legal framework currently guarantees data security.
3. Reduced Role for UNHCR
A diminished UNHCR presence could jeopardize:
- Refugee status determination
- Resettlement referrals
- Protection monitoring
Community groups heavily rely on UNHCR for legitimacy, documentation, and protection.
Impact on Zomi, Chin, and Other Myanmar Ethnic Refugees
Zomi, Chin, Kachin, Rohingya, Karen, and other ethnic refugees in Malaysia face:
- Delays in UNHCR processing
- Lack of work rights
- Police raids
- Exploitation in informal labor
- Limited access to schools
- Fear of detention
Groups such as ZAM, ZRC, MEO, ethnic churches, and welfare associations remain the strongest support systems, providing:
- Emergency aid
- Advocacy
- Translations and documentation help
- Community conflict resolution
- Protection for vulnerable families
These organizations warn that, without UNHCR oversight, refugees could lose critical protection mechanisms.
Global Context: U.S. Refugee Policy & “Extreme Vetting”
The U.S. historically resettled large numbers of Myanmar refugees from Malaysia — especially Chin and Zomi communities.
Under the Trump administration:
- Refugee admissions dropped from 110,000 to 18,000
- “Extreme vetting” procedures were added
- Processing delays increased
- Additional security checks applied to Myanmar cases
- Resettlement paused for 120 days
- State-level consent requirements limited arrivals
This created long delays for Zomi and Chin families awaiting U.S. resettlement.
Today, global resettlement remains limited, making Malaysian protection mechanisms more critical.
Myanmar’s Civil War Makes Repatriation Impossible
Myanmar remains one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises:
- The junta controls only ~21% of the country
- Over 3.5 million displaced internally
- Daily airstrikes and ground assaults
- Widespread torture, arrests, and religious persecution
- Ethnic cleansing of multiple groups
For Zomi, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Rohingya, and other minorities, returning home is not an option.
Zomi Press Recommendations
Zomi Press offers the following recommendations to ensure that Malaysia’s refugee registration reforms advance human rights, protection, and dignity.
A. Recommendations for the Malaysian Government
- Enact a National Asylum Framework
Create legal recognition for refugees, ensuring rights to protection, work, movement, and due process. - Maintain UNHCR’s Operational Role
Do not close or limit the UNHCR office; retain it for registration support, RSD, and resettlement coordination. - Guarantee Data Protection
Establish clear policies preventing misuse or external sharing of biometric information. - Consult Refugee Community Organizations
Include ZAM, ZRC, MEO, and other Myanmar ethnic groups in policy design and implementation. - Introduce Legal Work Rights
Refugees should have access to regulated employment sectors to reduce exploitation. - Prohibit Refoulement
Commit to never deporting refugees back to Myanmar’s active war zones. - Improve Access to Education and Healthcare
Allow refugee children to attend local schools and reduce fees for public healthcare.
B. Recommendations for UNHCR Malaysia
- Strengthen Outreach with Ethnic Community Networks
Prioritize coordination with ZAM, ZRC, MEO, and ethnic churches. - Advocate Firmly for Protection Safeguards in the DPP System
Demand clear guidelines on data protection, access to services, and non-refoulement. - Expand Protection Monitoring
Increase monitoring of detention centers, vulnerable women and children, and labor exploitation cases. - Ensure Transparent Communication
Continue providing multilingual information to prevent misinformation within refugee communities. - Prioritize Emergency Cases for RSD and Resettlement
Including survivors of violence, persecuted religious minorities, activists, and vulnerable families.
C. Recommendations for Refugee Community Organizations (ZAM, ZRC, MEO, etc.)
- Strengthen Documentation & Data Management
Maintain accurate community lists to support members during DPP registration. - Enhance Legal Awareness Training
Educate refugees on their rights, detention procedures, and safety measures. - Build Multi-Ethnic Coalitions
Work collectively across Zomi, Chin, Kachin, Rohingya, Karen, and other ethnic groups to increase advocacy power. - Engage Faith-Based Organizations & Local NGOs
Partner with churches, mosques, Buddhist groups, and civic organizations for support. - Report Protection Incidents Promptly
Establish communication channels with UNHCR, NGOs, and the press to report abuses quickly. - Prepare Families for DPP Registration
Assist with translation, documentation, and travel logistics.
References
- “Govt to launch refugee registration document system from January 1, 2026, says deputy home minister,” Malay Mail, 25 Nov 2025.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/11/25/govt-to-launch-refugee-registration-document-system-from-january-1-2026-says-deputy-home-minister/199657 - Austin Camoens, “Refugee registration system to launch in early 2026: Immigration DG,” New Straits Times, 19 Nov 2025.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2025/11/1318807/refugee-registration-system-launch-early-2026-immigration-dg - “UNHCR offices to shut, pending govt takeover: Abd Latiff,” The Vibes, 7 Oct 2022.
https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/73551/unhcr-offices-to-shut-pending-govt-takeover-abd-latiff - Zsombor Peter, “Malaysia mulls closing UN refugee agency office, sparking refoulement fears,” VOA News, 1 Nov 2022.
https://www.voanews.com/a/malaysia-mulls-closing-un-refugee-agency-office-sparking-refoulement-fears-/6814184.html - UNHCR, “Registration and identity management,” accessed 2025.
https://www.unhcr.org/us/what-we-do/protect-human-rights/protection/registration-and-identity-management - UNHCR, “Multi-year strategy 2025–2027 – Malaysia,” Nov 2025.
https://www.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/Malaysia%20-%20Strategy%202025%20%E2%80%93%202027_0.pdf - UNHCR, “Annual Results Report 2024 – Malaysia,” May 2025.
https://www.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/Malaysia%20ARR%202024.pdf - Council on Foreign Relations, “Civil War in Myanmar – Global Conflict Tracker,” updated 1 Oct 2025.
https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/rohingya-crisis-myanmar - Vartika Singh, “Election plans amid Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis and ongoing conflict,” Vision of Humanity, 18 Nov 2025.
https://www.visionofhumanity.org/election-plans-amid-myanmars-humanitarian-crisis-and-ongoing-conflict/ - Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), “Reconsider plans to shut down the UNHCR office in Malaysia,” The INS News, 14 Oct 2022.
https://www.theins.news/postview/1493-reconsider-plans-to-shut-down-the-unhcr-office-in-malaysia