Over 3,000 Myanmar nationals remain in line for repatriation
PUTRAJAYA: More than 3,000 Myanmar nationals remain in line for repatriation under an initial arrangement for Myanmar to receive 5,000 of its citizens from Malaysia, Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said today.
Zakaria said Malaysia was awaiting further feedback through the Foreign Ministry on negotiations with the Myanmar government to determine the date for the next repatriation.
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He said the Immigration Department’s role was operational, including identifying those to be repatriated and managing the process once a date had been confirmed.
“Previously, the Myanmar government agreed to take 5,000 people. We have already sent 1,476, so the balance is still more than 3,000.
“From the government side, especially through the Foreign Ministry, negotiations with the Myanmar government will continue,” he told a press conference here today.
Zakaria said the exercise would not stop after the initial 5,000, adding that Malaysia intended to continue repatriations where possible.
“Even after the 5,000, we will continue the repatriation. This is an ongoing operation. It does not end after 5,000.
“We have not set a quota. As many as possible, if we can, we want all to return,” he said.
On Sept 29, Malaysia began the first phase of the voluntary repatriation programme involving 1,476 Myanmar nationals, who were processed in Manjung before being transferred to the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut for departure by sea.
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.
They comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls, aged between eight and 60, and were drawn from 14 Immigration detention depots nationwide.
Zakaria said the number of refugees in Malaysia remained “very subjective”, with authorities relying on figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“Right now, we depend on data from UNHCR. The figures we give to the public are based on figures we obtain from UNHCR.
“So far, the number is more than 200,000. I cannot give any other estimate,” he said.
He said the government was implementing the Tracking Refugees Information System, or DPP, to establish a clearer picture of the actual number of refugees in the country.
“That is the main purpose of DPP, to identify the actual number of refugees in the country.
“Based on cards issued by UNHCR, it can be said that about half are from Myanmar,” he said.
In the Dewan Rakyat today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia had repatriated more than 10,000 Myanmar nationals through direct negotiations with Naypyidaw, including about 1,400 who were transported aboard a Myanmar naval vessel.
He said the repatriations were carried out with voluntary consent and assurances of humane treatment, adding that no Rohingya had been repatriated so far.
Anwar also said the issue would be raised during upcoming talks with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, involving the Foreign Ministry and Home Ministry.
