Immigration Dept denies social media claim that Myanmar teen was repatriated, says she remains in detention

On September 30, the Malaysian Immigration Department refuted a social media claim that a Myanmar teenage girl had been repatriated to Myanmar. According to the department, the girl remains in detention at an immigration depot and was not part of the repatriation programme for Myanmar nationals on September 29. Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban confirmed that the department's checks found the teenager was not involved in the repatriation process.

The department clarified the statement following the spread of a viral social media post alleging the teenager had been sent back under the programme. The claim arose as Malaysia commenced repatriating 1,476 Myanmar detainees from 14 immigration depots, consisting of 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys, and seven girls. The Immigration Department acknowledged concerns regarding the safety and welfare of detainees, stating that humanitarian considerations were taken into account in enforcing immigration laws and procedures.

The department, which operates the immigration depots in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and domestic regulations, urged the public not to disseminate unverified information that could lead to confusion over their actions and procedures.