SEREMBAN, July 29 -- Malaysia should review the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' (UNHCR) formal presence in the country if the agency continues to resist cooperation on refugee management, said Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The foreign minister warned that stringent screening must be a prerequisite before any UNHCR refugee cards are issued, arguing that the current lack of coordination has turned Malaysia into a "magnet" for asylum seekers, NST reported.

"If they are unwilling to cooperate, then it is time for us to reconsider UNHCR's presence in the country. That is my view, so that we are not continually burdened," Mohamad said after inspecting early voting for the Negri Sembilan election at the Sendayan Air Base yesterday....