United Nations High Commission for Refugees

570 Jalan Bukit Petaling, Bukit Petaling,

Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur 50460
www.unhcr.org/en-my

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia

TINGKAT 8, MENARA YAYASAN SELANGOR
NO 18A JALAN PERSIARAN BARAT
PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, 46200

United Malays National Organization

Ibu Pejabat UMNO Tingkat 38, Menara Dato’ Onn,
Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Media Contact Information:

UNHCR – Faqeera Raja Reza – rraj0008@student.monash.edu

Media contact information:

BERSATU - Joycerlyn Chancellor - j cha0095@student.monash.edu

Media Contact Information:

UMNO - Foo Siew Jack - sfoo0004@student.monash.edu

17 October 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ratification of Memorandum of Understanding

For decades, Malaysia has not had established refugee policies despite taking in countless
amounts of refugees. This crisis has pointed out the flaw in Malaysia’s constitution and has
led the ruling coalition to take necessary action to prevent such unfortunate events to repeat
in the future. Therefore, the ruling government coalition (UMNO and BERSATU) alongside
UNHCR jointly ratify a Memorandum of Understanding to fill in the absence of refugee
policies in Malaysia. There will be updates on Memorandum of Understanding to
compromise in areas that the paper might be lacking. However, we have agreed to take the
first step in establishing reliable and fair policies to ensure safety and comfort for refugees
that are currently in Malaysia and will come to Malaysia in the future.

In the long run, the government and UNHCR are looking forward to resettlement and
regional burden sharing, which is currently under negotiation with AICHR alongside with the
signatory of 1951 refugee convention. In terms of funding for this initiative, we will allocate
some amount from the agreed special dividend from Petronas. With all modesty, the
Memorandum of Understanding will improve through time. The release of this treaty is to
resolve the urgent crisis that Malaysia is facing right now. Updates and details will be
provided as soon as it is settled.