10,000 Myanmar Detainees Repatriated Since January 2026 - PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- A total of 10,000 Myanmar detainees have been repatriated to their home country since January this year via air and sea routes, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the repatriation was carried out following direct negotiations and efforts between the Malaysian Government and Myanmar authorities.

The Prime Minister said the repatriation of Myanmar nationals not only involve ethnic Rohingya but also included ethnic Arakan, Karen and Shan.

"Of that total, some were flown back under the Myanmar Government's own initiative, while the remaining approximately 1,400 individuals were repatriated recently via that country's naval vessels," he said.

Anwar said this during the Ministers' Question Time session in the Dewan Rakyat today, in response to a question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) regarding the government's next steps in addressing the issue of Myanmar nationals including refugees and asylum seekers, particularly the Rohingya ethnic group in the country.

He emphasised that Malaysia was the first country to successfully repatriate Myanmar detainees to their home country through effective negotiation and diplomatic approaches.

“As far as I understand, Malaysia is the first country to successfully repatriate Myanmar nationals to their home country," he said.

The Prime Minister also explained that the repatriation process for the detainees was carried out voluntarily, with the consent of the individuals involved formalised through official Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) documentation to ensure their safety and human rights.

Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut) regarding the status of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the issuance of refugee cards in the country, he said the body's involvement was a "legacy issue" officially introduced by the previous government.

He noted that any effort to amend existing regulations would require a consultation process with the United Nations (UN) to ensure Malaysia's actions are seen as compliant with and not disregarding international standards and regulations.

Nevertheless, the Prime Minister emphasised that the government would not allow the repatriation of Myanmar detainees or the administration of the country to be dictated by other parties or foreign officials.

"Our national affairs must be managed by our own machinery and not dictated by foreign officials determining who is eligible or ineligible," he said.

Responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) regarding illegal businesses run by foreign nationals, Anwar emphasised that enforcement agencies would tighten controls and would not hesitate to revoke the business licenses of locals found to be renting them out to foreigners.

On July 29, the Prime Minister announced that Myanmar had agreed to accept the return of approximately 5,000 Myanmar detainees currently in Malaysia, following negotiations and the maintenance of good relations between the two countries.

Following this, the first phase of the repatriation programme was carried out on September 29, involving 1,476 Myanmar detainees transported via three vessels, including a hospital ship belonging to the Myanmar Navy.

-- BERNAMA