THERE are a handful of reasons why refugees and asylum seekers from troubled nations in the region flee to Malaysia.
The most obvious ones are economic need and the willingness of Malaysians to help strangers in dire need.
Decades ago, Vietnamese boat people landed on the country's shores, but refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia are now primarily from Myanmar, desperate to escape armed conflict, political persecution and ethnic cleansing.
Over the decades, Malaysia has welcomed refugees from as far as Bosnia and, in recent years, Palestine.
It underscores the extent to which we are willing to help in terms of cash, critical supplies and diplomacy.
Regionally, Malaysia is an obvious destination: a natural buffer from immediate violence, reinforced by our hospitality, migrant networks, diaspora communities and religious and cultural affinities.
Moreover, Malaysia's prosperous economy has a constant demand for labour in construction, plantation and services, enabling migrants and their families to earn a decent livelihood not found in their own countries.
Geographically, Malaysia is a regional sweet spot: free of natural disasters and accessible by land or sea, perilous as it is.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had recognised the importance of setting up a branch in Kuala Lumpur, framed as an administrative "shield" against forced return to life-threatening dangers.
The UNHCR understands Malaysia well: although a non-signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, we have never forcibly repatriated persecuted people, only economic migrants.
But Malaysia has now called out the UNHCR for its failure to resettle refugees to third countries.
As noted by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Rohingya refugees here possess UNHCR cards, but so far, only 5,000 have been resettled in three years.
Mohamad cautioned that Malaysia is forced to review UNHCR's presence in Malaysia, the first time the intent has been aired since we began accepting Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s.
Malaysia's stance is justified: the international community hasn't done more to protect refugees while it expects us to indefinitely shoulder the consequences.
While concerned that third countries have failed or have an inadequate response, Malaysia will not gamble with people fleeing persecution.
Malaysia understands UNHCR's predicament: it can only identify and refer refugees for resettlement, but receiving countries decide on their admittance.
In UNHCR's 2025 report, there were just 1,800 confirmed resettlements from 5,800 submissions, reflecting the shrinking repatriations globally.
Putrajaya must press for a clear framework that defines responsibilities, screening procedures, data-sharing and measurable progress on resettlement. At the same time, a review of UNHCR's presence must consider the practical consequences for existing refugees to ensure protection does not collapse without a workable alternative.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd