KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — A total of 10,000 Myanmar detainees have been repatriated to their home country by air and sea since January this year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
He said the repatriations followed direct negotiations and efforts between the Malaysian government and Myanmar authorities.
The prime minister said the Myanmar nationals repatriated were not only ethnic Rohingya but also included those from the Arakan, Karen and Shan ethnic groups.
“Of that total, some were flown back under the Myanmar government’s own initiative, while the remaining approximately 1,400 individuals were repatriated recently via that country’s naval vessels,” he said.
Anwar said this during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today in response to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) on the government’s next steps in addressing the issue of Myanmar nationals, including refugees and asylum seekers, particularly the Rohingya community in the country.
He said Malaysia was the first country to successfully repatriate Myanmar detainees to their home country through effective negotiations and diplomatic efforts.
“As far as I understand, Malaysia is the first country to successfully repatriate Myanmar nationals to their home country,” he said.
Anwar also said the repatriation process was voluntary, with the consent of those involved formalised through official Home Ministry documentation to safeguard their safety and human rights.
Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut) on the status of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the issuance of refugee cards in the country, Anwar said the body’s involvement was a “legacy issue” officially introduced by the previous government.
He said any effort to amend existing regulations would require consultation with the United Nations (UN) to ensure Malaysia’s actions were seen as complying with international standards and regulations.
Nevertheless, Anwar stressed that the government would not allow the repatriation of Myanmar detainees or the administration of the country to be dictated by other parties or foreign officials.
“Our national affairs must be managed by our own machinery and not dictated by foreign officials determining who is eligible or ineligible,” he said.
Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) on illegal businesses operated by foreign nationals, Anwar said enforcement agencies would tighten controls and would not hesitate to revoke the business licences of locals found to be renting them out to foreigners.
On July 29, Anwar announced that Myanmar had agreed to accept the return of approximately 5,000 Myanmar detainees in Malaysia following negotiations and the maintenance of good relations between the two countries.
The first phase of the repatriation programme was subsequently carried out on September 29, involving 1,476 Myanmar detainees transported aboard three vessels, including a Myanmar Navy hospital ship.
