Simposium Alternatif Kepada Penahanan untuk Kanak-Kanak Pelarian Tanpa Penjaga dan Terpisah di Malaysia, 20-21 Ogos 2025

Pada 20 dan 21 haribulan Ogos 2025 (Rabu & Khamis), Institut Kajian Etnik (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) dengan kerjasama strategik Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) dan sokongan United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Yayasan Chow Kit, SUKA Society dan Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (MAHAR) telah menganjurkan Simposium Alternatif Kepada Penahanan untuk Kanak-Kanak Pelarian Tanpa Penjaga dan Terpisah di Malaysia bagi membincangkan isu-isu migrasi, persoalan asas kemanusiaan, hak asasi, serta masa depan generasi muda khususnya kanak-kanak yang semakin terdedah kepada pelbagai risiko di luar jangka.

Antara objektif simposium ini adalah menonjolkan komitmen Kerajaan Malaysia dalam menyeimbangkan keperluan keselamatan dan perlindungan kemanusiaan, memperkukuh naratif positif kerajaan dalam pengurusan pelarian terutamanya golongan rentan melalui platform ilmiah dan strategik & menyediakan ruang dialog antara pembuat dasar, ahli akademik, pertubuhan masyarakat sivil dan agensi antarabangsa.

Simposium tersebut yang diadakan di Hotel Dorsett, Putrajaya, telah rasmikan oleh Menteri Dalam Negeri, YB Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Beliau turut berbesar hati menyampaikan ucaptama pada simposium tersebut. Simposium selama dua hari ini telah berjaya menghimpunkan 250 orang peserta dengan keterlibatan dalam pembicaraan ilmiah, perbincangan panel dan sesi meja bulat yang melibatkan pelbagai pihak berkepentingan termasuk ahli akademik, wakil agensi kerajaan, pertubuhan antarabangsa, NGO serta komuniti pelarian. Resolusi ini menggambarkan kesepakatan awal di antara pihak berkepentingan dan cadangan strategik yang dijadikan asas kepada pembangunan dasar serta tindakan susulan berkaitan perlindungan kanak-kanak pelarian tanpa atau terpisah daripada penjaga di Malaysia dan rantau ini.

Hadir sama ialah Pengarah Yayasan Canselor UKM, yang menjalankan fungsi Timbalan Naib Canselor Hal Ehwal Jaringan Industri dan Masyarakat, Prof. Ts. Dr. Faizal Mohamed; Ketua Setiausaha KDN, YBhg. Datuk Awang Alik Jeman; Pengarah Pengasas KITA, merangkap Penasihat Program Simposium Alternatif Penahanan untuk Kanak-kanak Tanpa Penjaga dan Terpisah di Malaysia, Prof. Ulung Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin dan Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Imigresen, YBhg. Dato’ Zakaria Shaaban.

Nota: Aktiviti ini menyumbang kepada Matlamat Pembangunan Mampan (SDG) Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu dari aspek SDG3, 4, 16, dan 17.

Symposium on Alternatives to Detention for Unaccompanied and Separated Refugee Children in Malaysia, August 20-21, 2025

On August 20 and 21, 2025 (Wednesday & Thursday), the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA) of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)—in strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) and with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Yayasan Chow Kit, SUKA Society, and Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (MAHAR)—organized the Symposium on Alternatives to Detention for Unaccompanied and Separated Refugee Children in Malaysia. The event aimed to discuss migration issues, fundamental humanitarian principles, human rights, and the future of the younger generation, particularly children who are increasingly exposed to various unforeseen risks.

Among the objectives of this symposium were to highlight the Malaysian Government’s commitment to balancing security needs with humanitarian protection, to strengthen the government’s positive narrative in managing refugees—especially vulnerable groups—through an academic and strategic platform, and to provide a space for dialogue among policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, and international agencies.

The symposium, held at the Dorsett Hotel in Putrajaya, was officiated by the Minister of Home Affairs, YB Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who also graciously delivered the keynote address. The two-day event successfully brought together 250 participants to engage in academic discourses, panel discussions, and roundtable sessions involving a diverse group of stakeholders, including academics, government agency representatives, international organizations, NGOs, and the refugee community. The resulting resolutions reflect an initial consensus among stakeholders and outline strategic recommendations that will serve as a foundation for policy development and follow-up actions regarding the protection of unaccompanied or separated refugee children in Malaysia and the wider region.

Also in attendance were the Director of the UKM Chancellor’s Foundation, who also serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Industry and Community Network Affairs, Prof. Ts. Dr. Faizal Mohamed; the Secretary-General of KDN, YBhg. Datuk Awang Alik Jeman; the Founding Director of KITA and Program Advisor for the Symposium, Distinguished Prof. Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin; and the Director-General of the Immigration Department, YBhg. Dato’ Zakaria Shaaban.

Note: This activity contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically encompassing SDGs 3, 4, 16, and 17.

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