REUTERS — Malaysia has announced that it has concluded the first phase of its voluntary repatriation programme for Myanmar refugees, which will allow approximately 1,500 Myanmar refugees to return home.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously stated that Myanmar agreed to accept the return of 5,000 members of the Rohingya minority, amid growing tensions with local communities in Malaysia. The country's Ministry of Home Affairs said the first phase of repatriation to Myanmar would take place on 29 September, comprising 1,476 Myanmar nationals selected by the Myanmar government.
"The repatriation process will use two Myanmar Navy warships and one hospital ship," the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
The ministry also said that this year, approximately 4,008 individuals — the majority of them Rohingya — would enter the Documentation and Profiling Programme (DPP) for refugees, while another 5,000 would undergo the voluntary repatriation process, in accordance with the agreement reached with the Myanmar government.
The ministry said on 15 August that 10,388 Myanmar nationals were being held in Immigration Department detention centres, though not all of them would be considered refugees.
"More than 95% of refugees in Malaysia come from Myanmar, including the Rohingya, Chin, Karen, and Mon," the Ministry of Home Affairs stated, adding that Malaysia was in talks with Myanmar to ensure that the repatriation process would be carried out in an orderly and dignified manner.
"The Immigration Department is working together with the police to verify the identity, nationality, and security background of each detainee, and the process is expected to be completed within the fourth quarter of the year," the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
Malaysian authorities indicated that they would continue to identify individuals who are eligible and willing to return voluntarily.
