1,000 Myanmar refugees identified for repatriation can be sent back, says Tok Mat

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan has announced that 1,000 Myanmar refugees have been identified for repatriation to their homeland, according to a report by Bernama. The repatriation process will be handled by the ministry's secretary-general in coordination with the Myanmar government. When asked about reports indicating the Myanmar government was prepared to accept the repatriation of 5,000 of its nationals via ship, Hasan emphasized that Malaysia would focus on the 1,000 refugees already identified.

He stated that there is no need to wait for the full 5,000 people before initiating the repatriation process. Hasan highlighted the importance of cooperation between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Malaysian home ministry to verify the refugees' status and evaluate the security situation they would encounter upon their return.

A government spokesman, Fahmi Fadzil, had previously mentioned that Malaysia would not repatriate the refugees if they continued to face persecution or threats to their lives.