Myanmar begins releasing Rakhine returnees from Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: Myanmar's military authorities have begun releasing ethnic Rakhine nationals repatriated from Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur sought clarification over their reported detention.

The Irrawaddy reported on Oct 29 the releases began two days after Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan addressed questions in Parliament about the returnees' situation.

Citing the Khamee Youth Unity Association and testimony from a released individual, the report said detainees with identification documents were being allowed to return home.

"My younger brother was only set free yesterday," a Khamee man, who requested anonymity over security concerns, told The Irrawaddy.

"I didn't even know he was among those released," he said, adding that his brother was freed after the family submitted the required documentation.

The Irrawaddy reported that more than 400 ethnic Rakhine were among nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals repatriated from Malaysia in late September.

While other returnees were allowed to go home upon arrival, the ethnic Rakhine were reportedly held for questioning at military detention facilities in Yangon's Thanlyin and Hlaingthayar townships.

The association said 26 Khamee individuals were among those detained.

On Oct 26, Mohamad told the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia would seek clarification from Myanmar over allegations that about 300 returnees remained in military detention, and instruct its chargé d'affaires to investigate their condition.

Mohamad said the repatriation was voluntary and that Myanmar had given assurances regarding the returnees' safety. The programme envisaged returning 5,000 Myanmar nationals in stages.

On Sept 29, Malaysia repatriated 1,476 Myanmar nationals comprising 1,370 men, 79 women, and 27 children transferred from 14 immigration detention depots aboard three Myanmar naval vessels, including a hospital ship.

Myanmar has been engulfed in conflict since the military seized power in 2021. The United Nations and rights groups have warned that prevailing conditions do not guarantee safe returns.