UNHCR Malaysia to introduce new identity card for refugees

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia is issuing a new refugee identification card with added security features to help tackle the problem of syndicates offering fake UNHCR cards.

UNHCR representative for Malaysia, Richard Towle said the new enhanced features would help detect fraudulent cards.

The new card is expected to be made available from tomorrow, he said on the sidelines of the UNHCR experts roundtable discussion here today.

As of April this year, 154,140 refugees and asylum-seekers were registered with UNHCR Malaysia, the majority of them from Myanmar, at 139,780.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, who attended the event, described the new refugee identity card as a good initiative.

"The old card does bring a lot of problems and we hope the new one, which has enhanced security features, will help in the management of refugees in the country," he said.

READ: Malaysia, UNHCR to form joint task force to solve fake refugee card issue