KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 3,524 Myanmar refugees have been approved for repatriation under the second phase of the voluntary return programme, said Madani Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the government was currently awaiting confirmation from Myanmar on the date of departure for the group, which would be coordinated with the Home Ministry and Wisma Putra, Bernama reported.
He said the first phase of the voluntary repatriation programme was successfully carried out yesterday, involving 1,476 Myanmar refugees.
“Individu yang terlibat (dalam fasa kedua) telah dikenal pasti oleh pihak berkuasa Myanmar dan nama-nama tersebut dikemukakan melalui nota diplomatik bertarikh 13 Ogos 2026 kepada Malaysia menerusi Wisma Putra,” he said at a post-Cabinet meeting press conference here today.
(Translation: “The individuals involved (in the second phase) have been identified by the Myanmar authorities and the names were submitted through a diplomatic note dated Aug 13, 2026, to Malaysia via Wisma Putra.”)
Fahmi said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would hold discussions with Myanmar authorities in the near future to facilitate the return of more Myanmar refugees to their home country.
The first phase of the repatriation programme, carried out yesterday, involved 1,476 Myanmar nationals held in detention, who were transported using three vessels, including a hospital ship operated by the Myanmar Navy.
Home Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Policy and Control) Datuk Makhzan Mahyuddin said those involved comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls, aged between eight and 60.
On July 29, the Prime Minister said Myanmar had agreed to accept the return of about 5,000 Myanmar nationals currently in Malaysia following negotiations and improved relations between the two countries.
Following that, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said on July 30 that the ministry had begun the process of identifying, documenting and screening Myanmar detainees in preparation for their repatriation.
Previously, Fahmi stressed that Malaysia would not repatriate any Myanmar refugees if there were risks of persecution or threats to their lives, despite Myanmar agreeing to accept 5,000 nationals from Malaysia.
He said the government, through Wisma Putra, would first assess several factors, including security considerations, before proceeding with the repatriation process and identifying those involved. – September 30, 2026