Over 4,000 Myanmar nationals to undergo refugee registration, says home ministry

A total of 4,008 Myanmar nationals, primarily Rohingya, are set to undergo the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme in Malaysia this year, according to Deputy Secretary-General (policy and control) of the Home Ministry, Makhzan Mahyuddin. The repatriation programme, which aims to verify their identities and determine their immigration and refugee status, will see an additional 5,000 Myanmar nationals repatriated voluntarily in phases.

The Home Ministry and the Malaysian government have agreed to implement both approaches simultaneously, with eligible and willing individuals being sent back to their countries of origin. Currently, there are 10,388 Myanmar nationals in immigration detention in Malaysia, whose individual circumstances and statuses must be individually determined through a detailed process, as they cannot all be considered refugees.

Among the 1,476 Myanmar detainees being repatriated in the first phase of the programme, there are 27 children aged between eight and 60, comprising 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys, and seven girls. The detainees were transported aboard three Myanmar naval vessels, including a hospital ship, and originated from 14 immigration depots, with the largest groups coming from Belantik depot in Kedah and Tanah Merah depot in Kelantan.

Security for the operation was ensured by vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, marine police, and navy. The repatriation programme was initiated following diplomatic negotiations between Malaysia and Myanmar, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announcing in July that Myanmar agreed to take back 5,000 Rohingya refugees currently in Malaysia as a first step towards addressing the Rohingya refugee issue and preserving public order in Malaysia.

Malaysia is home to one of the largest Rohingya populations in the region, many of whom fled persecution in Myanmar's Rakhine state.