Malaysia Begins Myanmar Repatriations Despite UN and Rights Groups Safety Warnings

Malaysia has begun repatriating Myanmar nationals despite safety warnings from the United Nations and human rights groups, with the first group of 1,476 people sent home from immigration detention depots.

The repatriation, launched under a voluntary programme, involves a total of 5,000 Myanmar nationals who will be returned in stages. Malaysia’s Home Ministry said 10,388 Myanmar nationals were being held at detention depots nationwide as of August 15.

Buses carrying the returnees arrived at a stadium in Manjung town in Perak state under tight security before being transported to the nearby Lumut naval base. Myanmar navy warships and a hospital ship were docked to take them home.

The first group comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls, aged between eight and 60, from 14 immigration depots.

Home Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Makhzan Mahyuddin said the individuals were identified by the Myanmar government and their names submitted through a diplomatic note dated August 13.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and rights groups have warned that conditions in Myanmar remain unsafe and returnees could face serious risks. The UNHCR said the conflict in Myanmar prevents safe and sustainable returns.

“Any refugee return must be voluntary, based on an informed decision and take place in conditions of safety and dignity,” the agency said.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended the policy as a diplomatic effort to find a long-term solution, saying Malaysia cannot host refugees indefinitely and Myanmar must take responsibility for its citizens.

“I am inviting him to say that we can be friends and trade, we can accept Myanmar, but Myanmar must accept them back,” Anwar said, referring to Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing. “To me, that’s better diplomacy than just shouting angrily at Myanmar”.

Myanmar Foreign Ministry official Han Win Aung said the repatriation involves genuine citizens and is not about bringing back Rohingya people.

He said the plan follows earlier operations in 2021 and 2022, when Myanmar received more than 1,100 of its nationals stranded in Malaysia.

Malaysia is home to about 215,600 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR, including about 126,000 Rohingya.

Despite hosting them, Malaysia is not a party to the UN Refugee Convention and treats refugees as undocumented migrants.