Lumut: Malaysia has begun repatriating 1,476 Myanmar nationals under a voluntary return programme, despite concerns from the UN refugee agency and rights groups over safety conditions in Myanmar.
The first phase is part of a broader agreement that could see up to 5,000 Myanmar nationals returned.
Malaysia’s Home Ministry said those in the first group had been identified by the Myanmar government and would be transported using two Myanmar navy ships and a hospital vessel. Buses carrying returnees were seen arriving near the Lumut naval base in Perak.
The UNHCR has said that current conditions in Myanmar “do not support the safe and sustainable return of refugees” and said it was not involved in selecting those being sent back. Myanmar has remained in conflict since the 2021 military coup.
It remains unclear whether any Rohingya refugees are among Tuesday’s returnees. UNHCR data indicates Malaysia hosts about 193,000 refugees from Myanmar, around two-thirds of them Rohingya.
Refugee representative James Bawi Thang Bik said several asylum seekers were believed to be among those being deported, including a UNHCR card holder.
He warned that some returnees could face detention or forced military conscription.
Malaysia has defended the programme as voluntary and part of a diplomatic effort to address its long-running refugee and undocumented migrant issue.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also proposed engaging Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing on repatriation.
Myanmar’s foreign ministry has said the programme involves verified citizens returning in a “safe and dignified manner” and is not intended to return Rohingya refugees.
