KUALA LUMPUR: The government's decision to accept 3,000 Syrian refugees was made on humanitarian grounds and spurred by Malaysia’s concern over the plight of the war victims.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Syrian refugees, who would be arriving in stages, would be provided with shelter, education opportunities and temporary jobs.
"In accordance with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York today, 3,000 Syrian refugees will be given assistance to enter Malaysia over the next three years.
"This decision is humanitarian-based, and the prime minister's recommendation for Malaysia to accept the refugees highlights the grave concern of not only the government but Malaysians as a whole on the plight of the Syrians.
"We will organise several approaches to assist them during their stay here, including providing education opportunities for their children as well as temporary employment," he said.
Zahid was speaking to reporters after the conclusion of Special Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (SAMMRRAVE) today.
He said the Home Ministry will issue special identity cards, which possess state-of-the-art security features, for the refugees' use during their stay.
Zahid said the government will make a decision soon on the refugee settlement locations, and that the plan might involve private developers and government-linked companies.
Meanwhile, on the SAMMRRAVE, Zahid said Asean members have agreed to make Malaysia's deradicalisation programme a benchmark in their respective rehabilitation exercises.
He said Malaysian had shared the country's success stories in rehabilitating extremists, with an outstanding success rate of 95 per cent.
Zahid said Malaysia will host a two-day Deradicalisation Convention, which will take place here starting Jan 25. The convention will see the participation of 10 Asean member nations and eight other countries.