[REVISION HISTORY]

Malaysia continues phased repatriation of Myanmar nationals

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2026-10-23 03:42 UTC → 2026-10-29 07:17 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Malaysia ~~begins~~ continues phased repatriation of Myanmar nationals

~~On 28 September~~ Since January 2026, Malaysia ~~commenced a phased repatriation program, transporting 1,476~~ has repatriated approximately 10,493 Myanmar nationals to through bilateral agreements involving air and sea transport. On 28 September, a significant phase commenced with the transport of 1,476 individuals—comprising 1,370 men, 79 women, and 27 children—to the Thanlyin naval base via Myanmar navy and hospital ships. While Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim maintains the process is voluntary, the UNHCR and human rights organizations ~~and the UN~~ have ~~raised concerns regarding the safety~~ warned that returnees face risks of ~~returnees, potential~~ persecution, forced military conscription, and ~~whether~~ instability due to the ongoing civil war in Myanmar. Critics also questioned if decisions ~~are~~ were ‘genuinely free and informed.’ By early October, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reported that approximately 10,000 Myanmar detainees have been sent back via air and sea routes since January 2026. The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the program includes rigorous screening, identity verification, and health checks in Lumut, Perak, to ensure returns are ‘voluntary, safe, and dignified.’ The initiative aims to manage detention center capacity and reduce high operational costs, informed,’ noting that ~~over 11,000 Myanmar nationals~~ staff were held in Malaysian detention as of 31 August. While the repatriations include various ethnic groups such as Rakhine, Karen, and Shan, the Prime Minister noted that no members of the Rohingya ethnic group have been included in the returns not permitted to ~~date. Diplomatic engagement intensified during~~ meet migrants to verify status. Following a ~~two-day official~~ diplomatic visit by Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing ~~to Malaysia~~ on ~~7 and 8 October. During bilateral meetings in Putrajaya, Anwar Ibrahim noted that 10,493 citizens have already been returned. Following this visit, Min Aung Hlaing and Anwar Ibrahim~~ 7–8 October, the two nations agreed to the immediate repatriation of between 3,000 and 4,000 ~~Myanmar nationals currently held in Malaysian immigration detention centers.~~ additional nationals. Min Aung Hlaing pledged to accelerate this ~~process~~ by deploying ~~navy ships~~ naval vessels and ~~stated~~ agreed that the Myanmar government would cover ~~the~~ all associated repatriation costs. ~~Additionally, discussions covered economic cooperation, noting that bilateral trade has increased by more than 140% year-on-year.~~ During these meetings, Anwar Ibrahim expressed support for Myanmar’s reintegration into ~~ASEAN, despite its~~ ASEAN. In late October, the Malaysian government confirmed it would proceed with further repatriations after the High Court rejected an application by the Malaysian Bar for a stay of execution. The Malaysian Bar had argued that returning approximately 5,000 individuals, including Rohingya and UNHCR-recognized children, risked exposing them to discrimination and persecution. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the government is continuing the process through legal and diplomatic channels, with negotiations ongoing ~~political exclusion.~~ for a second group.

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