KUALA LUMPUR, 
Feb 19 (Bernama)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was on Thursday urged to
verify the actual status of people seeking asylum in Malaysia before issuing them refugee cards.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said this was to prevent indiscriminate issuing of refugee status that caused the country to be flooded with foreigners.
"Actually, those eligible to receive the card are political refugees. But the UNHCR likes to issue it to whoever asks for its help, including economic refugees.
"My ministry hopes the UNHCR will evaluate the people seeking refugee status before issuing the cards. We do not want crime and social problems to proliferate here because of the actions of the UNHCR," he told reporters after holding a meeting on the hiring of foreign workers for employers here.
Syed Hamid said this in commenting on the issue of illegal immigrants flooding the country and the crime and social problems that arise as a result.
He also said the UNHCR often faulted the Home Ministry when the authorities took action against UNHCR refugees who committed crimes or broke the country's laws.
"I hope the UNHCR as professional body will act according to the UN Charter.”