NEW YORK (Bernama): Malaysia will continue to render humanitarian assistance to asylum-seekers and refugees from 59 countries seeking shelter in the country, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said here Monday (Sept 24).

He said the groups were given access to medical treatment at government healthcare services across Malaysia, while those with communicable diseases were exempted from being charged treatment fees at government facilities.

"Education services are extended to refugees in Malaysia, both through UNHCR, as well as NGOs and refugee communities," he said during the High-Level Event on the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR) at the United Nations headquarters.

The GCR is a legally non-binding international agreement by UN member countries that will outline specific measures to improve the lives of refugees and their host communities.

The global compact is expected to be formally adopted by the UN General Assembly by year-end.

Saifuddin said Malaysia hosted 161,146 persons-of-concern, comprising asylum-seekers and refugees, as of Aug 31 this year.

Saifuddin also gave the assurance that Malaysia would not neglect its international obligations and commitments in addressing migration induced by war, natural calamities, political unrest and armed conflicts.

Nevertheless, he said, the burden and responsibility of tackling the refugee problem must be equally shared between governments of the source and receiving countries.

"It cannot and should not be the responsibility of solely just one side. In this respect, policies and measures at the global level must meet the needs of all parties, as well as be formulated and implemented with effective participation from all sides,” he said. - Bernama