Latest news with #Intan
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Home Ministry to implement refugee registration system for accurate data
KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry will implement a Refugee Registration System to obtain more accurate data on refugees in the country. Its minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the move will be implemented as the current refugee registration process, handled by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), involves lengthy data-sharing procedures. "To expedite efforts in addressing refugee-related issues, the National Security Council said that the ministry should collect refugee registration data. "The ministry is now undergoing the procurement process and will appoint a vendor to develop the system. "We will also utilise the ministry's existing infrastructure, including the Immigration Department's 78 offices nationwide, as accessible registration points," he said at a press conference after attending the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) Minister's Conversation today. Also present were Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Public Service deputy director-general (development) Datuk Dr Mohd Bakhari Ismail, and Intan director Datuk Dr Mohd Zabri Yusoff. Saifuddin said the refugee registration initiative has already begun with the screening of 37,000 individuals to determine whether they qualify as asylum seekers. He added that the ministry is currently reviewing post-registration strategies to ensure comprehensive management of the refugee population, without compromising national security, while also taking their welfare into account. "This means access to education and health but not under the government (schools and hospitals), but we will allow initiatives from other parties such as the private sector and non-governmental organisations to operate schools. "If we expand it to health issues, although we know that the doctor's charter is to provide health services, but we also have to remember that treating refugees leaves unpaid bills which is also an issue for the country," he said.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Home Ministry to conduct refugee registration to enhance data accuracy
KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry will implement the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) initiative to improve the government's access to accurate data on refugees in the country. Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the move was necessary as the current refugee registration process, managed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), involves lengthy data-sharing procedures with the government. "So, to expedite our handling of refugee issues, the National Security Council said (the ministry) should collect registration data on refugees. "The ministry is now in the procurement process and will appoint a vendor to deliver the system. We'll use existing ministry infrastructure, such as the Immigration Department's 78 offices nationwide, to make it easier for refugees to come forward," he told reporters after the Intan Minister's Conversation session here today. Also present were Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Public Service deputy director-general (development) Datuk Dr Mohd Bakhari Ismail and Intan director Datuk Dr Mohd Zabri Yusoff. Saifuddin said the refugee registration initiative has already begun with screenings of 37,000 individuals to assess whether they meet the criteria for asylum seekers. He added that the ministry is now studying the next steps once the refugees are registered, including more comprehensive management measures that prioritise national security without neglecting their welfare. "This includes access to education and healthcare, not through government (schools or hospitals), but we will allow initiatives by other parties, such as private institutions and NGOs, to operate schools. "In terms of healthcare, while doctors are bound by their oath to provide medical services, we also need to acknowledge that treating refugees often results in unpaid bills, which is an issue for the country," he said. — BERNAMA
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia, Indonesia to open over 10 new border entry points in Kalimantan, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to open more than 10 new border entry points along the Kalimantan-Sabah-Sarawak border, following Indonesia's plan to relocate its capital to East Kalimantan, said Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. The Home Minister said that as an initial step, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had announced an allocation of RM1bil to facilitate the development of the identified border entry points. "The Kalimantan-Sabah-Sarawak border issue arises following Indonesia's proposed relocation of its capital. So what is our response? Both countries have agreed to open several new entry points. "I can't recall the exact number, but it's more than 10,' he said at a press conference after the Intan Minister's Conversation (IMC) 2025 programme themed "Our Nation, Security Is a Shared Responsibility' held at the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) here Tuesday (July 8). Also present were Public Service deputy director-general (development) Datuk Dr Mohd Bakhari Ismail, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and Intan director Datuk Dr Mohd Zabri Yusoff. Saifuddin Nasution said the entry points would only be opened once a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is finalised, with the relevant ministries and agencies each playing their role, including building basic infrastructure such as access roads and communication towers. "For the Communications Ministry, the most basic requirement is placing communication towers … otherwise, how can Immigration operate if there's no coverage?' he said. He said the border stretches over 300km and the opening of new entry points would lead to increased people mobility and economic spillover. - Bernama
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
RM1b allocated for 10 new Sabah-Kalimantan border crossings, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of RM1 billion has been allocated to open more than 10 new entry points along the Sabah-Kalimantan border with Indonesia. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the opening of the new border crossings between the two countries was expected to provide a clear picture on the future of people mobility, goods movement and economic spillover for both sides. "We are now working towards opening new entry points that have already been identified through bilateral discussions. "The current priority is the Serudong-Simanggaris route, which only requires a few more formalities to be finalised with the Indonesian side," he said at a press conference after attending the 2024 Intan Minister's Conversation (IMC) at the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan) here today. Yesterday, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya said two new border routes between Sabah and Kalimantan, Indonesia, would be constructed from Kalabakan to the Malaysia-Indonesia border in Simanggaris, and from Pagalungan town to Bantul border town in Pensiangan district. He said the current status of the proposal was at on-site work stages, such as land surveying and procurement processes. Meanwhile, Saifuddin said detailed preparations were underway, including the construction of access roads and communication infrastructure. "Without good communication coverage, how can Immigration Department operations run smoothly? The Home Ministry is responsible for completing the Immigration Department and Customs Department complexes at the designated entry points," he said. The projects involved a border stretch of over 300 kilometres, with current access mainly through land routes, rivers and air travel.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Drug offenders linked to 31 other types of crime
KUALA LUMPUR: The Home Ministry revealed that the majority of criminal cases in Malaysia are linked to drug abuse. Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution said the finding was based on an analysis of 1.2 million crime data records compiled by the police using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Saifuddin said three main drug-related offences identified in the data comprised Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act for the self-administration of drugs, Section 12(2) for the possession of small amounts of drugs, and Section 39C for repeat drug-related offences. "When we examined the findings more closely, we discovered that individuals caught under Section 15(1), meaning those who self-administered drugs into their bodies, have the potential to commit up to 31 other types of crime. "Those under Section 12(2) also show significant risk, with data indicating they are likely to be involved in up to 11 other crimes, including robbery, extortion and more. "In conclusion, if we want to address crime in Malaysia effectively, we must first deal with the root cause, which is the involvement of offenders in drug-related activities," he told a press conference after attending the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan)-Minister's Conversation today. Saifuddin said that if the drug problem can be effectively contained, it could, in turn, help reduce the overcrowding currently faced by the Prison Department. Elaborating further, Saifuddin said insights from AI analysis will allow for the development of more robust policies and strategies to combat drug-related crimes, as they will be based on existing data held by the police. "This year, the ministry is focused on mastering the use of AI, essentially AI for the Home Ministry. As such, we will first enhance our human resources, followed by upskilling our personnel and officers. "The insights gained will then be used to address domestic issues," he added.
