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THE repatriation of the first 1,476 Myanmar nationals has drawn mixed reactions online, with some describing it as a long-awaited move to address an issue that has been debated for years.
Photos and videos of the group being transported from Manjung to Lumut circulated on social media, prompting some users to credit the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration for carrying out the repatriation.
Some praised the government’s diplomatic efforts with Myanmar, while others said the current administration was dealing with issues left unresolved by previous governments.
“Madani Government diplomacy has borne fruit,” Afizah said in a social media post.
“1,476 were sent home today. Before this, they were busy bringing them in. Now the current government has to clean up and resolve the problems. That is what happens when you inherit the work. You don’t start from zero,” Aziezah wrote.
Another social media user described the repatriation as evidence that the government was acting on an issue that had dragged on for years.
“The previous BN government created the problem, and the Madani Government has to clean it up,” the user wrote.
“Confirmed! More than 1,000 Myanmar nationals have returned to their country, with more to follow in stages.”
“For those who called it an empty promise, this is the real evidence.”
The first batch was sent home after the government earlier agreed to repatriate 5,000 Myanmar nationals in stages.
The Home Ministry (KDN) said the programme was being carried out through diplomatic negotiations with the Myanmar government.
Those being repatriated also underwent screening, including checks on their identity, nationality, immigration status and security background.
A decades-old issue
The presence of refugees and Myanmar nationals in Malaysia has long been a political and administrative issue.
The Home Ministry has described refugee management as a legacy problem that has persisted for decades, with most refugees in Malaysia originating from Myanmar.
The PH administration has taken a two-track approach, pursuing talks with Myanmar on repatriation while also introducing the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme to record and verify the identity and status of refugees.
The 1,476 Myanmar nationals sent home on Sept 29 make up the first batch under the 5,000-person target.
The repatriation is the latest development in the government’s efforts to address an issue that has remained on Malaysia’s agenda for years. – September 30, 2026
