Lawmakers urge overhaul of standards for refugee learning centres

During a parliamentary debate, Teresa Kok stressed the need to revisit the registration criteria for alternative learning centres serving refugees, citing concerns that Malaysia could see a generation of youths without clear citizenship or education. She noted that roughly 31% of registered refugees are children, and about 65% of those children are not receiving formal education, amounting to over 40,000 youngsters. Kok supported UNHCR's recommendation to allow eligible refugees to work legally and to grant them access to formal schooling.

She also demanded clarification on the Refugee Registration Document process, urging faster, auditable identity verification and a six-month resolution for those in immigration depots. Finally, she suggested that refugees could help fill labour shortages in manufacturing and agriculture, calling on the Ministry of Human Resources to publicise permissible job opportunities.