World · Malaysia Bureau
Legislation needed to address refugee crisis properly, says Sabah MP
A Sabah lawmaker has called for the government to consider enacting dedicated refugee legislation as part of a comprehensive approach to managing the displacement crisis in Malaysia.
LSN Malaysia ·
Madius Tangau, the Member of Parliament for Tuaran, has urged the federal government to develop a formal legal framework for handling refugee affairs if it intends to tackle the issue systematically.
The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) politician emphasized that proper legislative measures are essential for Malaysia to address refugee matters in a manner befitting the nation's capacity and circumstances.
His call comes amid ongoing discussions about how Malaysia manages its refugee populations, which remain among the largest in Asia. The country currently hosts hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, many of whom lack formal legal status.
Tangau's proposal suggests that without dedicated legislation, Malaysia may continue to operate within legal gray areas when addressing refugee-related issues, potentially limiting the government's ability to implement comprehensive and coherent policies.
The suggestion reflects broader concerns about the need for Malaysia to establish clearer legal structures governing refugee reception and management, particularly as regional displacement pressures persist.