Immigration Dept denies Myanmar teen was repatriated
KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has denied claims that a female Myanmar teenager was repatriated to her home country yesterday, saying she remains detained at an Immigration Depot.
The Immigration Department in Malaysia has refuted allegations that a young Myanmar woman was returned to her homeland on July 30. Official spokesperson Datuk Zakaria Shaaban clarified that the teenager remains in detention at an Immigration Depot and was not part of the repatriation program conducted on a Myanmar military vessel.
The department acknowledges public concerns about the welfare of detainees while enforcing immigration laws, but insists on adhering to international standards and humane treatment principles. Yesterday, 1,476 Myanmar nationals were the first batch to return home in a repatriation initiative involving three naval vessels, including a hospital ship.
Among them were 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys, and seven girls aged between eight and 60. The repatriation was announced by Home Minister Makhzan Mahyuddin following talks between Malaysia and Myanmar. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously stated that Myanmar would accept around 5,000 of its citizens detained in Malaysia.
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