Malaysia to continue repatriation of Myanmar refugees

The Malaysian government will proceed with the repatriation of Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers following a High Court decision to reject an application by the Malaysian Bar for a stay of execution. The High Court ruled that a stay could not be granted before permission for a judicial review is obtained, with a hearing for that permission scheduled for December 8.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the government is continuing the process through legal and diplomatic channels. Negotiations with the Myanmar government are ongoing to facilitate the repatriation of a second group. More than 10,000 individuals have already been repatriated, including a phase in late September involving 1,476 detainees transported via Myanmar naval vessels.

The Malaysian Bar had argued that the repatriation of approximately 5,000 individuals, including Rohingya ethnic groups and children recognized by the UNHCR, risked exposing them to persecution and discrimination. Saifuddin defended recent direct discussions with Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing, noting that such engagement is necessary to manage refugee issues.