Photo credit: Armani scholars forum
A parliamentary symposium has underscored the critical need to address the education and legal work rights of refugees in Malaysia.
The Sun reports that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the event was a crucial platform to raise awareness among MPs and the public on these urgent issues.
He warned that many young refugees currently have no access to education, which could pose long-term social challenges.
“If they are not educated and remain here without skills or opportunities, this could potentially contribute to social problems,” Johan told reporters after the symposium in Parliament.
He urged MPs to raise the matter in their respective select committees and produce comprehensive reports.
Johan pledged to provide space in Parliament for the issues to be debated to ensure broader public understanding.
In his opening speech, he nted Malaysia hosts more than 200,000 refugees.
The majority are adults of working age but are not legally permitted to work, while nearly 30% are children lacking access to formal education.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Malaysia Louse Aubin thanked Johari for convening the symposium.
She stated that parliamentarians play a key role in disseminating accurate information given their direct public engagement.
