Home Ministry: 1,476 Myanmar nationals leave Malaysia in first ‘voluntary’ repatriation phase

The Malaysian Home Ministry announced the departure of 1,476 Myanmar nationals under the first phase of a voluntary repatriation program aimed at addressing the challenges posed by decades-long refugee and undocumented migrant issues.

Coordinated with Myanmar's government, this operation involves thorough verification, respecting individuals' consent, and a phased, structured approach in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

Despite not being a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Malaysia emphasizes compassion and ASEAN kinship while balancing national security concerns.

The ministry plans progressive future phases, contingent on document verification and logistical coordination.

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 29 — A total of 1,476 Myanmar nationals departed Malaysia today under the first phase of a “voluntary” repatriation programme aimed at resolving a protracted, decades-long refugee and undocumented migrant challenge, the Home Ministry (KDN) announced.

The operation is being conducted by sea via two naval vessels and a hospital ship deployed by the Myanmar government, coordinated jointly by KDN, the Immigration Department of Malaysia (JIM), and relevant security agencies.

Amid ongoing scrutiny from human rights and refugee advocacy groups, the ministry reiterated that the repatriation is being executed on a phased and consensual basis, following formal verification and a bilateral agreement with Naypyidaw to accept the returnees.

KDN stated that as of Aug 15, a total of 10,388 Myanmar nationals held across Immigration detention depots nationwide have been undergoing biometric identification, immigration status assessments, and security screenings.

“Of that number, 5,000 Myanmar nationals have been finalised to undergo a voluntary and phased repatriation programme to their country of origin, based on the Myanmar government’s agreement to receive them and the consent of the individuals involved to return voluntarily,” the ministry said in a statement today.

The initial cohort of 1,476 individuals was selected from a verified list submitted by the Myanmar government through an official diplomatic note.

A decades-long policy challenge

KDN stressed that the prolonged presence of displaced foreign nationals, with Myanmar nationals accounting for more than 95 per cent of all registered refugees in the country, has persisted for decades without a sustainable resolution.

The ministry noted that the situation has imposed substantial financial burdens on public infrastructure, created socio-economic friction, and posed long-term national security concerns for Malaysians.

It said that the MADANI administration is enforcing a phased, structured approach grounded in the Federal Constitution and the rule of law.

“Although Malaysia is not a state party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, the approach taken remains rooted in the value of compassion and the Asean spirit of kinship, ensuring that actions are carried out in an orderly, responsible and humane manner without compromising national security and sovereignty,” the statement read.

The ministry added that ongoing bilateral diplomacy alongside rigorous domestic enforcement enables the government to establish comprehensive profiling and biometric data for foreign nationals residing in the country.

KDN confirmed that subsequent repatriation phases will be carried out progressively, subject to document verification, logistical coordination, and operational readiness between Malaysian and Myanmar authorities.

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马来西亚内政部宣布，根据一项旨在解决数十年来难民和无证移民问题所带来的挑战的自愿遣返计划的第一阶段，1476名缅甸国民已离开马来西亚。

此次行动与缅甸政府协调进行，包括彻底核实、尊重个人同意，并按照联邦宪法采取分阶段、有条不紊的方法。

尽管马来西亚并非 1951 年《难民公约》的缔约国，但它在强调同情心和东盟亲缘关系的同时，也兼顾了国家安全问题。

该部计划分阶段推进后续工作，具体阶段取决于文件核实和后勤协调情况。

布城，9月29日讯——马来西亚内政部宣布，今天共有1476名缅甸国民离开马来西亚，这是旨在解决长达数十年的难民和无证移民问题的“自愿”遣返计划的第一阶段。

此次行动由缅甸政府部署的两艘海军舰艇和一艘医院船在海上进行，由KDN、马来西亚移民局（JIM）和相关安全机构联合协调。

在人权和难民倡导组织的持续关注下，该部重申，遣返工作是在正式核实和与内比都达成接收返回者的双边协议之后，分阶段、在双方同意的基础上进行的。

KDN 表示，截至 8 月 15 日，全国移民拘留中心共关押了 10388 名缅甸国民，他们正在接受生物识别、移民身份评估和安全检查。

该部今天在一份声明中表示：“根据缅甸政府同意接收他们以及相关人员自愿返回的意愿，其中5000名缅甸国民已最终确定将分阶段自愿遣返回其原籍国。”

最初的 1476 名受试者是从缅甸政府通过官方外交照会提交的经核实名单中选出的。

长达数十年的政策挑战

KDN强调，流离失所的外国国民长期滞留该国，其中缅甸国民占该国所有登记难民的95%以上，这种情况已经持续了几十年，但一直没有得到可持续的解决方案。

该部指出，这种情况给公共基础设施带来了巨大的财政负担，造成了社会经济摩擦，并对马来西亚人民构成了长期的国家安全担忧。

声明称，MADANI 政府正在实施一项分阶段、有条不紊的方法，该方法以联邦宪法和法治为基础。

声明称：“尽管马来西亚并非1951年《关于难民地位的公约》及其1967年议定书的缔约国，但其采取的方针仍然植根于同情心的价值观和东盟的亲情精神，确保以有序、负责和人道的方式开展行动，同时不损害国家安全和主权。”

该部补充说，持续的双边外交以及严格的国内执法使政府能够建立居住在该国的外国公民的全面档案和生物识别数据。

KDN 确认，后续遣返阶段将逐步进行，但需视马来西亚和缅甸当局之间的文件核实、后勤协调和行动准备情况而定。

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