Malaysia working with UNHCR on more secure refugee cards

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the new cards have been issued since June under the collaboration between the Malaysian government and UNHCR. — file picturePUTRAJAYA, Aug 18 ― The Malaysian government is collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to issue new refugee identification cards with high security features, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

Zahid, who is also home minister, announced that the new cards have been issued since June under the collaboration between the Malaysian government and UNHCR.

“The issuance of the card will go through tight screening steps. Therefore, the process of replacing the old UNHCR cards will take a bit of time.

“This move is intended to tackle the problem of the issuance of fake UNHCR cards,” he said in a statement today after chairing a meeting on UNHCR-related issues.

Zahid also said a joint task force will be formed in which the UNHCR and Malaysia will work together to register and issue the new cards, but said the process of determining refugee status remains fully under the organisation based on the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol.

The joint task force comprised senior officers from the Home Ministry, the National Security Council, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and UNHCR, he said.

On June 21, UNHCR Malaysia representative Richard Towle launched the new card with better security features to overcome past weaknesses that allowed counterfeiting.

According to a New Straits Times’ report then, Towle had said the new card is backed by better biometric data collection, besides including security features such as 3D holograms and bar codes.

The UNHCR had also launched the UNHCR VERIFY-MY mobile application, which Towle said would enable local enforcement agencies or those doing UNHCR work to scan the “Secure Quick Response” (SQR) code on the new cards to verify their authenticity.

UNHCR’s Senior Protection Officer (Oversight) Michael Wells had said the old version of the card was easier to replicate, while the new card had one of the best technologies globally with a biometric scan of fingers, face and retina.

The NST had earlier this year reported that there are syndicates selling counterfeit UNHCR cards ― that are only meant for verified refugees and asylum seekers ― to illegal immigrants.

http://www.themalaymailonline.com

Former Miss Malaysia Deborah Henry is a busy queen

Deborah Henry.

Despite what some people might think of beauty pageants, Deborah Henry says it afforded her a platform to promote worthwhile causes and gave her the visibility and voice to speak for those who couldn't.

As a model and former beauty queen, Henry has been Miss Malaysia twice over - representing our country first in the Miss World pageant in 2007 and later at the Miss Universe in 2011 - to say she is a veteran on the circuit would be an understatement.

Turning up for this interview in ripped skinny jeans, floral cropped top and ballerina flats - casual by beauty queen standards - Henry nevertheless looks every inch the glamorous persona she projects to the public. "It's my dress down day," she quips.

Standing at 1.77m, she towers over everyone in the room and her dazzling smile competes with the sunlight streaming in through the French doors.

She's toting a peacock print canvas bag from Nala, a Dutch designer based in Malaysia, which holds her change of outfits for the photo shoot.

"Don't you love this venue?" she asks, referring to bungalow cum event space she has chosen for us to meet.

"It's one of the venues which is registered with us and available to rent for private or corporate events."

Located in a quiet residential street in Taman Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur, this multi-level home is called Amore Lifestyle event space.

It is one of many venues which is available for rent at Venuescape (www.venuescape.my), the newly formed event-planning and location-scouting company which Henry is a director and shareholder.

"We started Venuescape about six months ago and there are six directors who each bring different strengths," explains Henry, 30.

"My role is an advisory one as well as business development. We fulfil an interesting niche where we bring together venue owners with people who wish to seek out new and different places to organise their functions."

For our interview, we settle down on a sofa and Henry starts off speaking in a low alto which exerts a calming effect.

Her zen-like demeanour is disarming and extremely engaging, an attribute she must have perfected during those gruelling rehearsals while vying for both those coveted beauty crowns.

"My idea of beauty pageants has always been positive," she says when I ask her about her experiences in both Miss World and Miss Universe.

"The kinds of women who compete in beauty pageants are not only beautiful but highly ambitious, super smart and extremely driven.

The pressure we all face while competing is quite incredible, I think even some guys would crack under the pressure."

But what about the cattiness? Surely not all the girls get along and the green-eyed monster must rear her ugly head once in a while?

"There are bad apples in every field of work. But for the most part, the competitors are such amazing and strong women.

I look at the friends I've made there on Facebook today and they are so successful in their own right, running businesses and holding high positions in companies."

Her voice goes up an octave when I ask how she counters feminists who say beauty pageants are demeaning to women and objectify the fairer sex.

"My fight for women's rights is that a woman is able to make her own choices and that has always been the fundamental voice of feminism.

Back in the day we fought for the right to vote and we are still fighting for equal pay. My fight is that women have the choice.

Whether they choose to be a stay-at-home mum or join the work force, there should exist a system which supports them and their choices."

She adds: "If a young woman wishes to enter a beauty pageant, why is that any different from someone who dreams of becoming a CEO? It's her choice and it's not for others to tell her she shouldn't because that's being judgmental."

Point taken. Henry recalls the physically and mentally demanding preparation she had to go through during the six to eight months leading up to the Miss Universe pageant.

"I was training and working out out every day at the gym and drinking protein shakes and studying current affairs for the Q&A section.

It's anything but weakening, in fact its empowering."

What bothers Henry more is not the fact that she paraded in front of millions of people in a swimsuit but that a girl somewhere in the world is not allowed to go to school.

This brings us to her charity work and the school for refugees she co-founded.

Henry established the Fugee School (www.fugeeschool.com) with a friend back in 2009 after she became aware of the unfavourable conditions refugees were living under.

Starting with just four students, today the Fugee School has 130 refugee children mainly from Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Palestine and Iraq.

"There's a lot of misinformation about refugees," she muses.

"People think refugees come to a country and bring unsavoury elements with them and steal jobs. But put yourself in their shoes. If bombs are dropping all around you, would you stay put? Of course not!"

She continues: "We are facing the worst humanitarian and refugee crisis since World War II today.

Children suffer the most in this kind of situation and at our school, we let them know they matter and that we want them to learn and become strong and successful. Without food and water, a child will die.

But without an education, they will also die because they would not have a fighting chance to survive in today's world."

Looking at her concerned countenance, it's evident that she cares deeply for the less fortunate and is fervent in her efforts in championing the underdogs.

She may be known for being a Miss Malaysia and consequently defined by her looks, but in Henry's case, true beauty radiates from within.

-women.asiaone.com

Syrian refugees will be paid same wages as locals if they get employed

KUALA LUMPUR:Syrian refugees will be paid the same wages as local workers if they are employed, but as of now, government policy does not allow refugees to hold jobs.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem said under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Employment Act, there can be no discrimination in wages, but pointed out that Malaysia does not allow refugees to hold jobs.

"Under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Employment Act, there can be no discrimination in wages, refugees will be paid the same amount as local employees.

"But as of now, they are not allowed to work in Malaysia," Richard told the press when asked to comment on the government's plans to provide some 3,000 Syrian refugees temporary jobs.

He said the same applies to all refugees under the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and it is up to the government to decide otherwise.

Riot was commenting on the government's plan to provide temporary jobs to some 3,000 Syrian refugees.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak declared at the United Nations General Assembly that Malaysia will be taking in about 3,000 refugees from war-torn Syria.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi then announced that preference will be given to skilled labour and professionals and they will be provided temporary employment.

Ahmad Zahid's Deputy, Datuk Nur Jazlan, also said that details on how to accommodate the refugees has not been finalised.

Earlier, Riot delivered the keynote address at the 7th Regional Tripartite Social Dialogue for Growth, Employment, and Sound Industrial Relations in the Services Sector in ASEAN.

During his speech, he announced the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) at the end of the year to encourage free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour, and capital flow.

Richard also said Malaysia, like the rest of ASEAN, is facing a shortage of skilled workers and will need to recruit more foreign labour if the issue is not addressed.

Additionally, Richard said Malaysia is currently reviewing its minimum wage, but later told reporters the government's decision is currently on embargo and will be announced in due time.

He said the government is currently studying the feasibility of an Employment Insurance System (EIS) to provide financial and training assistance for retrenched workers.

Press Release: Recognise their dignity, give refugees access to lawful work

Wednesday, 20 June 2012 08:59am

Today, the Malaysian Bar will host a briefing on refugee-related issues for members of the Dewan Rakyat, at Parliament House.  We hope to inform, and engage with, Parliamentarians in order that they can be more sensitised and aware of the situation facing refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.  We welcome this opportunity, and acknowledge the participation of the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (“UNHCR”) in Kuala Lumpur. The main focus of civil society and non-governmental organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia this year is access to lawful work and officially-recognised employment.  According to the UNHCR, there were 98,100 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR as at the end of April 2012.  This figure includes some 20,000 children.  As the Malaysian Government does not provide any financial assistance, refugees and asylum seekers have to fend for themselves.  Having fled their respective home countries with few possessions and little (if any) money, refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia have to eke out a subsistence-level existence by taking informal or unofficial work.  Whatever money they earn needs to support not only themselves, but also their families.  Often this work is dirty, difficult and dangerous, and, without proper supervision and protection, highly risky.  They are susceptible to exploitation and abuse by those who have hired them.  They often have to work for very little pay, and have no job security and legal protection against being cheated of their low wages.  On this World Refugee Day 2012, the Malaysian Bar renews its call to the Malaysian Government to set aside Parliamentary time to introduce and implement refugee-protection legislation in Malaysia, which must include express provisions on the unhindered and unrestricted access to lawful work and officially-recognised employment.  The Government has given selected groups of refugees and asylum seekers permission to work before, so this will not be a new policy.  What will be new is to establish legal provisions to give refugees and asylum seekers access to lawful work and officially-recognised employment.  As it is, individuals and companies in Malaysia already employ migrant workers from some of the same countries from which these refugees and asylum seekers come.  Extending to them the ability to access lawful work and officially-recognised employment will not pose any additional risks.  Instead, it will reduce in part the need to import more foreign workers.  This simple change of policy will, however, enormously improve the living situation for refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia.  It would also reduce, if not eliminate, the risk that refugees and asylum seekers will end up as victims of human trafficking and forced labour.  The Malaysian Bar once again calls upon the Government to also take immediate measures to announce a definite timetable for the ratification of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol.  As a responsible nation in the international community, and as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Government must live up to its international obligations.    Lim Chee Wee President Malaysian Bar 20 June 2012   http://www.malaysianbar.org.my