Kuala lumpur: The government will manage the refugee issue in the country in a balanced manner, taking into account both national security and humanitarian considerations, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Saifuddin emphasized that an approach driven solely by emotion would not resolve the long-standing issue and stressed the need for wise and responsible management. He acknowledged the rising public sentiment on refugee management, especially on social media, where the predominant message is for refugees to be deported or turned away. However, he urged that the government cannot act based on emotion alone and must consider the broader context, balancing national security with humanitarian values.

Saifuddin dismissed claims that the government was arbitrarily issuing identities to refugees, stating that such allegations were inaccurate and misleading. He assured that the government has laws and systems in place, and there is no compromise on security, countering suggestions that the country was being run like a "cowboy country."

He further stressed the importance the Home Ministry places on national security and public order in managing refugee-related matters, which continue to be a concern among the public. Saifuddin highlighted the necessity of handling the issue wisely and humanely, while still safeguarding the country's security, the people's interests, and maintaining Malaysia's international standing.

Previously, media reports indicated that a petition calling for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees or their resettlement in third countries had gathered more than 195,000 signatures as of Thursday. The petition, initiated by the Aku Anak Malaysia account on May 29, is targeting one million signatures and seeks alternative solutions to address the influx of refugees.