This document discusses the role and mandate of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) office in Malaysia and the challenges it faces. It provides background on the establishment of UNHCR and its core mandate to protect refugees internationally on a non-political basis. The document outlines UNHCR's functions such as determining refugee status, providing shelter and assistance, and promoting international refugee conventions. It also discusses UNHCR's supervisory role over the 1951 Refugee Convention and challenges in fulfilling its mandate given limitations but need to engage with political issues among states. The relationship between UNHCR and authorities in Malaysia needs improvement to better respect UNHCR's role and powers in protecting refugees.