KUALA LUMPUR – A United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card is not a citizenship document and does not provide immunity from Malaysian laws, Economy Minister Datuk Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said.

“A UNHCR card is not a citizenship document and does not grant immunity from Malaysian law. Any individual who commits an offence will still be investigated and action will be taken,” he said during a briefing on the Global Supply Crisis broadcast on the Ministry of Economy's Facebook page on July 13, as reported by Bernama.

Akmal said the matter was presented by the Home Ministry (KDN) during the National Economic Action Council meeting following public concerns over refugee management, particularly issues involving documentation, human trafficking syndicates and their impact on community safety.

He said the Immigration Department is implementing the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme, which includes biometric registration, screening, monitoring and enforcement.

“Integrated operations to combat migrant smuggling, human trafficking, document abuse and illegal entry through unauthorised routes will be intensified.

“Data analytics and monitoring technologies will also be utilised to identify risks and support enforcement efforts,” he said.

Akmal added that RM1.2 billion has been allocated across several government agencies for projects related to border control and security at the country's entry points.

He also said the government is accelerating the expansion of the Border Control and Protection Agency's operations to standardise border management and enforcement.

Besides domestic and border security, the National Economic Action Council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also focused on strengthening food security and improving the resilience of the manufacturing sector against disruptions to global supply chains.