BUKIT KAYU HITAM, July 30 — The Home Ministry (KDN) has begun identifying, documenting, and screening Rohingya refugees as part of preparations to repatriate 5,000 Myanmar nationals after Naypyidaw agreed to accept the return of its citizens currently in Malaysia.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the process is being carried out through the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) in line with National Security Council Directive No. 23, with KDN leading the effort alongside relevant regulatory agencies.
The DPP process involved several stages, including tracing, identification, security screening, and determining each individual's status before confirmation documents were issued.
“Screening will be conducted by the police and the Immigration Department of Malaysia. At the end of the process, individuals will receive a decision on their refugee status, and documents will be issued to confirm their status,” he said during a media conference today.
Earlier, Saifuddin attended the 'Drug-Free Aspiration Tour: Healthy FELDA Community, Prosperous Kedah' programme officiated by Kedah Raja Muda Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin at FELDA Bukit Tangga.
He added that Malaysia and Myanmar had initially agreed on the return of 5,000 people, but the individuals involved must first be identified and screened to ensure they meet the required criteria.
There are currently about 22,000 detainees across 19 immigration depots nationwide, including around 4,000 Myanmar nationals identified for processing.
“These 4,000 people will undergo screening and be placed at one depot instead of being spread across 19 depots, to facilitate the process,” Saifuddin said.
The relocation to a designated depot will help streamline documentation, security checks, and coordination among the agencies involved.
He noted that the process is already underway and no longer in the planning stage, while discussions with the Myanmar government, after completion of the process, would be coordinated by the Foreign Ministry.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Myanmar had agreed to accept the return of 5,000 Rohingya refugees in Malaysia following negotiations between the two countries.
