PUTRAJAYA, Sept 30 — Approximately 3,524 Myanmar refugees have been approved for repatriation under the second phase of the voluntary repatriation programme, said MADANI government spokesman Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the government was awaiting Myanmar's notification of the repatriation date, which would be coordinated with the Home Ministry (KDN) and the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra).
The first phase of the voluntary repatriation programme was successfully carried out yesterday, involving 1,476 Myanmar nationals.
“The individuals involved in the second phase were identified by the Myanmar authorities and their names were submitted to Malaysia through a diplomatic note dated August 13, 2026, via Wisma Putra,” he said during a post-Cabinet meeting media conference today.
Fahmi added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would hold discussions with Myanmar in the near future to facilitate the return of more Myanmar refugees to their country.
Yesterday, Malaysia implemented the first phase of the repatriation programme, repatriating 1,476 Myanmar nationals detained in Malaysia using three vessels, including a hospital ship belonging to the Myanmar Navy.
KDN Deputy Secretary-General (Policy and Control) Datuk Makhzan Mahyuddin said those repatriated comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys, and seven girls, aged between eight and 60.
On July 29, Anwar said Myanmar had agreed to accept the return of about 5,000 Myanmar nationals detained in Malaysia following negotiations and strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
Previously, Fahmi emphasised that Malaysia would not repatriate any Myanmar refugees if they faced the risk of persecution or threats to their lives, despite Myanmar agreeing to accept 5,000 of its nationals from Malaysia.
The government, through Wisma Putra, will first assess several factors, including security concerns, before any repatriation is carried out.
