Kuala Lampur, June 18 -- Malaysia's long-standing role as a host country for refugees, particularly Rohingya refugees, reflects both humanitarian concern and regional responsibility.

However, the increasing complexity of displacement in South-east Asia requires Malaysia to move beyond ad hoc responses and establish a more comprehensive legal, institutional, and diplomatic framework before accepting further refugee arrivals on a significant scale.

A temporary halt or strict limitation on new refugee intake should not be understood as a rejection of humanitarian responsibility.

Rather, it should be framed as a necessary governance measure to ensure that Malaysia can manage refugee protection in a way that is orderly, sustainable, and pub...