Myanmar detainees underwent rigorous screening before repatriation, says Home Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: All Myanmar detainees involved in the first phase of the repatriation programme in Lumut, Perak, on Sept 29 underwent rigorous screening and verification before being returned voluntarily, safely, and with dignity to their home country.

The Home Ministry said the process covered citizenship verification, documentation, health screening, and identity checks.

According to the ministry, the Myanmar government verified the list of individuals and submitted it to Malaysia through a diplomatic note dated Aug 13, followed by detailed coordination on security, logistics, and reception arrangements in Myanmar.

Final processing for the first phase was carried out at the Manjung Stadium before the detainees were taken to the Royal Malaysian Navy Base in Lumut for repatriation.

"The government ensures that the repatriation process is carried out safely, orderly, responsibly and with dignity, in accordance with the procedures agreed upon by both countries," the ministry said in a Frequently Asked Questions document on the programme.

The ministry said the initiative forms part of the government's approach to addressing irregular migration and undocumented migrants through enforcement, detention management, and orderly repatriation.

The measure also helps reduce unnecessary detention periods, easing pressure on the capacity and operating costs of Immigration Detention Depots.

As of Aug 31, 11,804 Myanmar citizens were detained at Immigration Detention Depots and Baitul Mahabbah facilities nationwide.

The ministry said the high number of detainees and prolonged detention periods had placed pressure on depot capacity and resulted in significant government expenditure, prompting the bilateral initiative between Malaysia and Myanmar to facilitate phased returns.

The Myanmar government has committed to accepting the return of 5,000 of its citizens throughout 2026.

Under the programme, the ministry acts as the coordinating ministry, while the Immigration Department serves as the main operational agency.

The operation also involves the Foreign Ministry, National Security Council, Defence Ministry, Royal Malaysian Navy, and other relevant security agencies.

The first phase on Sept 29 saw 1,476 Myanmar detainees repatriated aboard three Myanmar Navy vessels, including a hospital ship.

The operation involved detainees from 14 Immigration Detention Depots nationwide, with the largest numbers coming from the Belantik Depot in Kedah and the Tanah Merah Depot in Kelantan.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil previously said an agreement had been reached for the voluntary repatriation of 3,524 Myanmar detainees under the programme's second phase.