Malaysia and Myanmar agree on the second-phase voluntary repatriation of 3,524 Myanmar nationals following official verification processes.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Myanmar have agreed to repatriate another 3,524 Myanmar nationals in the second phase of the country’s voluntary repatriation programme, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said today.
Speaking at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting, Fahmi said the individuals had been identified by the Myanmar authorities, with their names submitted to Malaysia through Wisma Putra in a diplomatic note dated Aug 13.
“For the second phase, a total of 3,524 Myanmar nationals have been agreed upon with the Myanmar side to be repatriated at the next stage,” he said.
Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would also hold discussions with the Myanmar government in the near future to facilitate the return of more Myanmar nationals currently in Malaysia after the second group had been repatriated.
The first phase of the programme to repatriate 5,000 Myanmar nationals detained in Malaysia began yesterday, with 1,476 individuals sent back to Myanmar.
The Home Ministry said the first group was processed in Manjung before being transferred to the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut for departure by sea.
The 1,476 individuals were part of the 5,000 Myanmar nationals identified for phased repatriation after the Myanmar government agreed to receive them and the individuals consented to return voluntarily.
The ministry said the first batch was drawn from a list submitted by the Myanmar government through an official diplomatic note.
The repatriation was carried out by sea using two vessels and a hospital ship belonging to the Myanmar government, with the operation coordinated by the Home Ministry, Immigration Department and other relevant agencies.
As of Aug 15, the ministry said 10,388 Myanmar nationals detained at immigration detention depots were undergoing identity, immigration status and security background checks.
Of these, 5,000 had been finalised for the voluntary and phased repatriation programme.
The ministry said subsequent phases would depend on the completion of identification, documentation and verification processes, as well as logistical readiness and operational coordination.
It added that the programme was part of the government’s efforts to address the longstanding issue of foreign nationals in Malaysia, particularly those from Myanmar, who account for more than 95% of the country’s total refugee population.
