PARLIAMENT | Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has cited UNHCR’s online refugee registration process as the "root cause" behind Malaysia’s difficulties in managing refugees already in the country.

Speaking during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today, Saifuddin said people could apply for refugee status from abroad and enter Malaysia before the UN refugee agency had decided on their applications.

“A person may be in Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan or any country where there are push factors.

“Before UNHCR in Kuala Lumpur has even made a decision on the application, the person may come here first as a tourist on a social visit pass,” he said.