First phase of Myanmar nationals’ voluntary repatriation begins in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia today began the first phase of its voluntary repatriation programme involving 1,476 Myanmar nationals, with the group processed in Manjung before being transferred to the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) base in Lumut for departure by sea.
In a statement today, the Home Ministry (KDN) said the group formed the first batch of 5,000 Myanmar nationals identified for phased repatriation after the Myanmar government agreed to receive them and the individuals concerned consented to return voluntarily.
Only Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) and Bernama were invited to cover the operation on-site, as a Home Ministry spokesperson said coverage of the first phase was limited due to space constraints at the departure area.
According to Bernama, the group comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls, aged between eight and 60.
They were drawn from 14 Immigration detention depots nationwide, with the largest groups coming from the Belantik depot in Kedah and the Tanah Merah depot in Kelantan.
Final health checks, identity verification and documentation began at the Manjung District Stadium at 4am before the detainees were transported in 46 buses to the RMN base in Lumut.
Home Ministry deputy secretary-general (Policy and Control) Datuk Makhzan Mahyuddin said vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Marine Police and RMN would escort the two Myanmar warships and hospital ship to the edge of Malaysian waters as a security measure.
“The individuals were identified by the Myanmar government and their names submitted to Malaysia through a diplomatic note dated Aug 13, 2026.
“Following this, coordination was carried out involving the Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry, National Security Council and Defence Ministry, taking into account operational and logistical requirements,” he said at a press conference aboard KD Sri Indera Sakti at the RMN base in Lumut today.
Makhzan said the Immigration Department was the lead operational agency, responsible for identity verification, documentation, inter-agency coordination, security and logistics.
“The repatriation programme is part of efforts to manage foreign nationals and immigration detainees in a more orderly manner.
“It is being carried out voluntarily, safely and responsibly based on procedures agreed with the Myanmar government,” he said.
The group was being repatriated aboard UMS Moattama, accompanied by UMS King Sin Phyu Shin and the Myanmar Navy hospital ship UMS Thanlwin, which arrived in Lumut yesterday.
About 850 officers and personnel from several agencies, including the Immigration Department, RMN, police, National Security Council, Foreign Ministry and Home Ministry, are involved in the operation.
KDN said subsequent phases would proceed subject to the completion of identification, documentation and verification processes, as well as logistical readiness and operational coordination between Malaysia and Myanmar.
As of Aug 15, 10,388 Myanmar nationals were being held at Immigration detention depots and undergoing checks on their identities, immigration status and security backgrounds.
