Lumut:Malaysia has initiated the deportation of around 1,500 Myanmar nationals back to their home country, despite the ongoing violence in Myanmar. This effort is the first phase of a refugee repatriation program agreed upon with Myanmar, which may eventually see up to 5,000 refugees return.
According to Thai News Agency, Malaysian authorities assert that the repatriation program is entirely voluntary. However, the United Nations Refugee Agency and various civil society organizations have expressed significant concerns about the safety of those being repatriated, given the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar.
Local reporters observed a significant movement this morning, as dozens of buses accompanied by a security convoy arrived at a stadium near the Lumut naval base in Perak State. The convoy then proceeded to the port, where two Myanmar warships and a hospital ship are currently docked.
Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously stated its cooperation with various countries to ensure the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of verified displaced persons.
Since the 2021 coup in Myanmar, the country has been in turmoil, with the military engaged in battles against multiple armed groups. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that Malaysia is home to approximately 193,000 refugees from Myanmar, with roughly two-thirds of them being Rohingya.