Malaysia Begins Repatriation of Myanmar Nationals Amid UN Security Concerns
Malaysia began the repatriation of 1,476 Myanmar nationals on Tuesday (29/9), marking the first stage of a planned programme intended to cover up to 5,000 individuals. The Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the first group was identified by the Myanmar government and that the repatriation is being conducted voluntarily from immigration detention centres.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the repatriation process has commenced, though further details were not provided. Dozens of buses, escorted by security vehicles, were seen arriving at a stadium near the Lumut naval base in Perak state, before the Myanmar nationals were transported towards the port.
At the port, two Myanmar Navy vessels and a hospital ship were docked. The Malaysian government stated that the first group would be returned using these vessels. The Myanmar government previously stated it is working with several countries to facilitate the return of citizens in a safe and dignified manner.
Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative, Han Win Aung, stated that the programme continues repatriation operations from 2021 and 2022, during which more than 1,100 Myanmar nationals in Malaysia were returned. According to him, the current programme involves legitimate Myanmar citizens and does not constitute the repatriation of Rohingya.
However, the identities of all members of the first group have not yet been announced. Reuters also reported that it remains unclear whether there are Rohingya refugees among those being returned. Malaysia itself recorded 10,388 Myanmar nationals in immigration detention centres across the country as of mid-August.
UN and Human Rights Groups Question Safety
The programme has faced opposition from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and various civil society organisations. Myanmar has been embroiled in civil war since the 2021 military coup, which triggered armed conflict across various regions.
UNHCR stated that current conditions “do not support the safe and sustainable return of refugees from Myanmar.” The agency also noted that it was not involved in the identification process of the individuals being returned.
Malaysian civil society groups previously called for a halt to deportations. More than 160 organisations, in a joint statement last week, requested the Malaysian government to “immediately cease deportations” while opening discussions with civil society organisations regarding the conditions in Myanmar.
Advocacy groups also questioned whether the decision to return is truly voluntary, given the conditions within Malaysia’s detention centres.
James Bawi Thang Bik, representing refugees from the Chin community in Malaysia, said he was aware of several asylum seekers among those being returned, including UNHCR cardholders. This information, he said, was obtained from community leaders.
“We are worried they will be forced to fight on the front lines of the conflict. For many, this is equivalent to sending them to their death in their own homeland,” said James.
According to him, based on testimonies from refugees previously deported, those being returned potentially face conscription or detention in Myanmar.
The Fate of the Rohingya Remains Uncertain
The Rohingya issue remains a primary concern within the programme. Malaysia and Myanmar have not yet officially clarified how many Rohingya are included in the first group being returned.
According to AFP, Rohingya make up approximately two-thirds of the roughly 190,000 Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia, based on UN data.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously stated that Myanmar has agreed to the return of up to 5,000 Rohingya. He also mentioned plans to invite Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, for an official visit to Malaysia to help accelerate the repatriation process.
“We can be friends and trade, we can accept Myanmar, but Myanmar must accept them back,” Anwar said in a podcast published on 16 September. He suggested that such an approach represents better diplomacy than merely expressing anger towards Myanmar.
The Malaysian government stated that the repatriation programme is part of a diplomatic effort to seek a long-term solution, asserting that Malaysia cannot host refugees indefinitely.
However, civil society groups have warned that Malaysia’s relationship with the Myanmar administration must not compromise Malaysia’s reputation and integrity.
“Malaysia’s relationship with the junta must not sacrifice its own reputation and integrity,” stated the civil society group in a joint statement.
Malaysia hosts one of the largest refugee communities in Southeast Asia, but the country is not a party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and does not officially recognise refugee status. As of mid-August, the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs recorded 10,388 Myanmar nationals in immigration detention centres nationwide.
Amidst the ongoing debate, the first group of Myanmar nationals is scheduled to be transported by sea using two Myanmar Navy vessels and a hospital ship. Meanwhile, questions regarding the safety of the return and the potential involvement of Rohingya refugees in this first stage remain unanswered.