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PUTRAJAYA - A total of 3,524 Myanmar refugees have been approved for repatriation under the second phase of the voluntary repatriation programme, MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said.
The Communications Minister said the government was awaiting notification from Myanmar on the date for the repatriation, which would be coordinated with the Home Ministry (KDN) and Wisma Putra.
He said the first phase of the voluntary repatriation programme was successfully carried out yesterday, involving 1,476 Myanmar nationals.
"The individuals involved in the second phase were identified by the Myanmar authorities and their names were submitted to Malaysia through a diplomatic note dated Aug 13, 2026, via Wisma Putra,” he told a post-Cabinet meeting press conference here today.
Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would hold discussions with Myanmar in the near future to facilitate the return of more Myanmar refugees to their country.
Yesterday, Malaysia implemented the first phase of the repatriation programme involving 1,476 Myanmar nationals detained in Malaysia, using three vessels, including a hospital ship belonging to the Myanmar Navy.
Home Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Policy and Control) Datuk Makhzan Mahyuddin said those repatriated comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls, aged between eight and 60.
On July 29, the Prime Minister said Myanmar had agreed to accept the return of about 5,000 Myanmar nationals detained in Malaysia following negotiations and strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
Fahmi had previously stressed that Malaysia would not repatriate any Myanmar refugees if they faced the risk of persecution or threats to their lives, despite Myanmar agreeing to accept 5,000 of its nationals from Malaysia.
He said the government, through Wisma Putra, would first assess several factors, including security concerns, before any repatriation was carried out. - BERNAMA
